THE  ICOEHLER  MElTHOD 
OF  PHYSICAL  DFiiLL 


'AIN  WILLIAM  H.  WILBUR 

JKFANTRir,   U,  S.  ARKTT 


J.  B.  LIPPING 


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BRANCH, 

.    .  <    CALIFORNIA, 

LIBRARY, 

i-Gb  ANGELES,  CALlf. 


THE  KOEHLER  METHOD 
OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 


LEADERSHIP  AND  MILITARY  TRAINING 
By  Brig.  Gen.   L.  C.  ANDREWS,  U.  S.  A. 

FUNDAMENTALS  Of  MILITARY  SERVICE 

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ELEMENTARY  NOTES  FOR  THE  FIELD  ARTILLERY 
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THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 
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MANUAL  OF  RECRUIT  INSTRUCTION  FOR 

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OTHER  VOLUMES  IN  PREPARATION 

Full  Descriptive  Circulars  on  Request 


THE  KOEHLER  METHOD 
OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 


BY 

CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  H.  WILBUR 

INFANTRY,    U.   S.  ARMY 

ASSISTANT   INSTRUCTOR   OF   MILITARY   GYMNASTICS,   U.  S.  MILITARY   ACADEMY; 

ASSISTANT  INSTRUCTOR  OF  TACTICS,  U.  S.  MILITARY  ACADEMY;  SPECIAL 

INSTRUCTOR   OF   PHYSICAL   DRILL,   OFFICERS'    TRAINING   CAMPS 

AT   PLATTSBURG   BARRACKS   AND   FORT  MYER,    I917 


ADOPTED  AS  TEXT- BOOK  AT  THE  INFANTRY 
OFFICERS'  TRAINING  SCHOOL,  CAMP  LEE,  VA.,  1919 


PHILADELPHIA  AND  LONDON 
J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY 


52877 


COPYRIGHT,   I918,   EY  J.    B.   LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY 
COPYRIGHT,    1920,    BY   J.    B.    LIPPINCOTT   COMPANY 


PRINTED   BY  J.    B.   LIPPINCOTT   COMPANY 

AT  THE  WASHINGTON  SQUARE  PRESS 

PHILADELPHIA,   U.  S.  A. 


U  32.3 

W64 


FOREWORD 


This  book  is  intended  not  only  to  help  an  instructor 

P^    to  know  his  drill,  as  an  abstract  proposition,  but  also  to 

show  him  the  way  in  which  to  make  it  a  success.      The 

questions  asked  by  the  candidates  at  the  Officers'  Train- 

^  ing  Camps  at  Plattsburg  and  Fort  Myer  and  the  points 

^^   with  which  they  had  difficulty  were  constantly  kept  in 

^  mind  in  writing  the  book. 

The  writer  has  had  the  exceptional  advantage  of  serving 
as  Major  Koehler's  assistant  at  the  Military  Academy  for 
V^  more  thaij  two  years,  and  during  that  time  has  had  the 
^  best  possible  opportunity  to  absorb  Major  Koehler's 
methods.  No  claim  for  originality  is  made  in  writing 
this  book;  in  fact,  it  is  intended  to  be  as  close  an  approxi- 
mation as  possible  to  a  study  of  physical  drill  as  taught 
by  Major  Koehler. 

The  writer  wishes  to  take  this  opportunity  to  thank 
Major  Koehler  for  his  never-failing  kindness  and  assistance 
and  for  his  ever-present  example  of  compelling  energy 
and  superb  enthusiasm,  without  which  this  effort  would 
be  impossible. 

Thanks  are  also  due  Cadet  Roland  Stenzel  for  posing 
for  the  excellent  photographs  contained  in  the  booT^:. 

West  ^oint,  N.  Y.  The  Author. 

April  T,  19 1 8. 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I.  General 1 1 

II.  The  Conduct  of  a  Physical  Drill 17 

III.  Calisthenics 25 

IV.  Marching  and  MAiiCHiNG  Exercises 61 

V.  Jumping  Exercises 71 

VI.  Rifle  Exercises 79 

VII.  Giving  Commands 90 

VIII.  Games  and  Contests 97 

IX.  For  the  Civilian  Instructor 105 

Appendix.    Extract  from  Special  Regulations  No.  23,  War 

Department,  1917 112 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

FIG.  PAGE 

1 .  A  Marching  Exercise 15 

2.  The  Correct  Position  of  Attention 18 

3.  The  Incorrect  Position  of  Attention 18 

4.  Arms  Forward,  Raise .  30 

5.  Arms  Overhead,  Raise 34 

6.  Arms  to  Thrust,  Raise ' 34 

7.  Forearms  to  the  Vertical,  Raise 35 

8.  Hands  on  Shoulders,  Place 35 

9.  Hands  on  Hips,  Place 37 

10.  To  the  Side  Straddle  Position,  Hands  on  Hips,  Hop 37 

11.  To  the  Squatting  Position,  Bend 3§ 

12.  Legs  Backward,  Extend 47 

13.  Full  Bend  Knees  and  Extend  the  Arms  Sideward,  Bend.  .  53 

14.  Raise  the  Legs  to  a  Vertical  Position,  Raise 57 

15.  Swing  the  Extended  Leg  Forward,  Waist  High,  Exercise.  .  69 

16.  The  Position  of  Ready 72 

17.  The  First  Motion  of  all  the  Jumps 73 

18.  The  Simple  Leap  Perfectly  Executed 73 

19.  The  Alighting  Position  from  all  the  Jumps -75 

20.  The  Finish  of  Every  Jump 75 

2 1 .  Position.    Arms 80 

22.  Shoulder  Horizontal,  Raise 81 

23.  Right  Side  Horizontal,  Raise 82 

24.  Right  Low  Perpendicular,  Raise 83 

25.  Left  High  Perpendicular,  Raise 84 

26.  A  Combination  Exercise 87 


THE  KOEHLER  METHOD 
OF    PHYSICAL    DRILL 

CHAPTER  I 

GENERAL 

Physical  drill  has  a  fourfold  function;  namely,  to  build 
the  men  up  physically,  to  wake  them  up  mentally,  to  fill 
them  with  enthusiasm,  and  to  discipline  them. 

Happily  the  close  connection  between  physical  well- 
being  and  efficiency  in  all  lines  of  endeavor  has  long  since 
been  universally  recognized.  Therefore,  on  this  phase  of 
the  mission  of  physical  drill,  it  need  only  be  mentioned 
that  its  sphere  of  usefulness  should  be  enlarged  and  made 
to  include  boys  and  girls  of  all  ages  and  men  and  women ; 
not  limited  only  to  soldiers  and  pupils  in  our  higher  insti- 
tutions of  learning.  In  fact,  the  instruction  should  be 
compulsory  and  universal. 

The  system  of  physical  drill  outlined  in  this  book  is 
applicable  to  children  of  both  sexes  and  all  ages,  as  well 
as  grown-ups.  The  drill  is  also  applicable  to  squads  com- 
posed of  men  of  very  different  degrees  of  physical  excel- 
lence. The  strongest,  most  active  man  will  find  that  he 
can  exercise  all  his  muscles  and  put  every  ounce  of  his 
being  into  exercises  which  at  the  same  time  will  be  bene- 


12      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

ficial  for  a  much  weaker,  less  active  man.  Yet  there  will 
be  no  danger  of  straining  the  weaker  man.  The  same  is 
true  in  working  with  children;  and  xhe  reason  is  that  the 
body  automatically  adapts  the  exercise  to  its  own  strength. 
This  is  of  course  not  true  of  an}^  exercise  in  which  the 
lifting  of  any  dead  weight  is  involved,  such  as  a  rifle,  or 
of  an  exercise  in  which  the  entire  weight  of  the  body  is 
lifted.  In  working  with  children  or  untrained  men  the 
exercises  and  methods  are  identical  with  those  to  be  given 
to  squads  composed  of  stronger  men,  but  in  the  first  case 
the  exercises  are  done  for  shorter  periods  and  the  rests 
between  exercises  are  much  more  frequent. 

The  enthusiastic  side  of  physical  drill  needs  to  be  con- 
sidered more  at  length  than  the  self-evident  purely  phys- 
ical side.  All  will  agree  that  "nothing  really  great  has 
ever  been  accomplished  without  enthusiasm."  One  of 
the  chief  objects  of  the  physical  drill  is  to  instill  into  the 
men  a  buoyant  enthusiasm.  This  is  done  by  example, 
by  a  cheerful  and  pleasant  and  yet  compelling  tone  of 
voice,  by  awakening  a  man's  pride  in  his  carriage  and 
physique  and  most  of  all  by  working  on  the  lines  of  group 
psychology.  Once  get  a  group  of  men  striving  and  strain- 
ing to  accomplish  the  result  the  instructor  desires  and 
the  problem  is  solved.  This  is  where  the  personality  of 
the  instructor  and  the  elements  of  real  leadership  come 
into  play. 

And  let  me  caution  the  instructor  that  he  cannot  fill 
his  men  with  enthusiasm  unless  he  is  an  enthusiast  him- 


GENERAL 


13 


self;  he  cannot  get  a  response  from  his  men  unless  he  not 
only  knows  his  business  but  believes  in  it  heart  and  soul. 
The  instructor  must  give  out  to  his  men  immeasurable 
funds  of  nervous  energy,  and  if  he  gets  a  fifty  per  cent, 
return  for  the  nervous  energy  he  has  expended  he  should 
be  happy,  for  his  drill  will  be  a  success.  The  instructor 
must  lose  himself  in  his  work,  must  demand  precision, 
encourage  here,  correct  there,  reprove  one  man  and  boost 
another.  In  fact,  he  must  so  strive  himself  that  his  men 
will  be  proud  of  their  leader  in  every  way,  proud  of  his 
appearance,  proud  of  his  ability,  proud  of  his  fairness, 
and  proud  because  their  instructor  is  helping  to  make 
their  organization  the  best  in  the  army. 

A  lackadaisical  manner  and  a  slovenly  performance  of 
any  duty  indicate  one  of  two  things :  Either  the  instructor 
does  not  know  his  business  and  is  attempting  to  hide  his 
ignorance  by  assuming  a  bizarre,  nonchalant  attitude,  or 
he  has  reached  the  limit  of  his  development  as  a  leader  of 
men,  and  has  settled  into  a  rut  with  so  much  inertia  that 
no  amount  of  enthusiastic  lifting  on  the  part  of  others 
will  urge  him  forward  to  greater  and  broader  endeavor. 

An  instructor  must  always  bear  in  mind  that  cheerful- 
ness and  a  spirit  of  try  are  most  contagious  in  any  body 
of  indi\'iduals  and  are  especially  so  when  coupled  with 
healthful  bodily  movement  and  drills  requiring  alertness 
and  quickness  of  perception  and  action.  The  physical 
drill  affords  an  opportunity  for  the  instructor  to  lift  his 
men  out  of  themselves  and  make  them  not  only  stronger 


14       THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

and  more  alert  as  individuals,  but  happier,  healthier, 
more  enthusiastic  as  a  group,  be  it  of  citizens  or  soldiers. 

To  many  persons,  discipline  is  a  bugbear  always  asso- 
ciated with  punishmxcnt  and  means  the  entire  suffocation 
of  individuality  and  initiative.  Nothing  could  be  farther 
from  the  true  aim  of  real  discipline  or  from  the  result  of 
real  discipline.  Discipline  means  most  assuredly  that 
eveiyone  moves  cheerfully  and  with  alacrity  to  carry  out 
his  chief's  orders.  But  it  does  not  mean  unthinkingly. 
When  a  disciplined  man  gets  an  order,  he  starts  thinking 
rather  than  stops.  But  instead  of  sitting  down  and  figuring 
out  that  there  are  ten  other  things  that  his  chief  might 
much  better  have  done  at  this  time  he  immediately  starts 
thinking  on  how  to  best  carry  out  his  chief's  orders,  he 
bends  all  his  efforts  and  drives  his  ingenuity  to  the  limit 
in  endeavoring  to  perform  the  allotted  task  in  the  quickest 
way,  in  the  cheapest  way,  and  in  the  way  which  will 
coordinate  best  with  other  tasks  which  are  being  performed 
simultaneously. 

Properly  used,  the  calisthenic  and  marching  exercises 
are  the  best  of  disciplinary  drills.  The  instructor  is 
not  limited  to  any  prescribed  stereotyped  movements  or 
order  of  procedure  and  therefore  the  drill  requires  constant 
attention  and  mental  alertness  on  the  part  of  the  members 
of  the  group  participating.  Thus  the  first  fundamental 
of  discipline,  namely,  attention,  may  be  obtained  and 
firmly  fixed  by  the  physical  drill.  The  second  fundamental 
of  discipHne  is  quick  response  to  the  will  of  the  commander. 


GENERAL 


15 


The  calisthenics  especially  contain  thousands  of  move- 
ments which  must  be  executed  with  snap,  vigor,  in  unison, 


fJM 


Fig.  I. — A  marching  exercise. 

and  at  command.  The  third  fundamental  of  discipline  is 
the  habit  of  doing  everything  with  precision  and  accuracy, 
In  fact,  just  as  well  as  one  knows  how.    Precision  may  be 


1 6       THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

demanded  and  obtained  in  all  the  light  quick  movements 
of  the  calisthenics  and  is  easily  secured  because  all  persons 
have  an  inborn  pride  in  their  physical  makeup  and  will 
strive  to  perfect  themselves  in  the  physical  drill  when 
they  might  not  have  as  much  enthusiasm  to  perfect  them- 
selves in  other  things. 

The  disciplinary  side  of  physical  drill  is  most  important 
and  should  never  be  lost  sight  of  nor  neglected  in  order 
to  obtain  mere  physical  exertion.  Furthermore,  of  course, 
a  disciplined  organization  gets  more  out  of  any  drill  than 
does  an  undisciplined  one.  This  is  axiomatic,  for  the 
results  obtained  in  any  line  of  work  are  always  propor- 
tionate to  the  amount  of  attention,  enthusiasm  and 
endeavor  which  is  contributed. 

From  the  above  it  is  readily  seen  that  the  physical 
drill,  properly  used,  is  an  absolutely  essential  element  in 
the  making  of  good  soldiers  and  better  citizens.  It  con- 
tains the  best  elements  of  military  training  in  a  single 
vehicle  and  should  be  adopted  as  an  obligatory  part  of 
the  training  of  all  our  school  children,  not  physical  training 
only,  but  physical  drill,  mind  as  well  as  body,  training 
for  the  brain  as  well  as  training  for  the  muscles.  And  it 
should  be  given  by  men  of  character,  mentality,  ability, 
and  discernment,  men  who  can  be  held  up  as  an  example 
of  everything  that  a  man  should  be. 


CHAPTER  II 

THE  CONDUCT  OF  A  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

Squads  for  physical  drill  should  consist  of  at  least  eight 
men,  but  at  first,  not  more  than  a  platoon.  This  upper 
limit  is,  however,  only  dependent  on  the  capabilities  of 
the  instructor;  classes  of  twenty-five  hundred  being 
possible  for  a  master  of  the  art  of  command. 

Having  formed  the  squad,  tall  men  on  the  right,  the 
men  should  first  be  told  the  proper  position  to  assume 
while  standing,  which  is  (Fig.  2) : 

First,  the  heels  are  together  and  on  the  same  line,  the 
feet  are  turned  out  equally  and  form  an  angle  of  about 
45  degrees;  and  the  weight  of  the  body  is  carried  equally 
on  the  balls  of  both  feet,  the  heels  touching  the  ground 
but  Hghtly. 

Second,  the  knees  are  extended,  but,  without  stiffness; 
the  hips  are  level  and  are  drawn  back  slightly,  the  buttocks 
tucked  up. 

Third,  and  very  important;  the  chest  is  raised,  the 
shoulders  are  pushed  out  toward  the  side  and  carried 
down  and  back  until  the  shoulder  blades  are  flat;  and 
there  should  be  a  very  marked  upward  stretch  all  around 
the  waist. 

Fourth,  the  arms  are  allowed  to  hang  naturally  from 
the  shoulders  which  should  bring  the  elbows  in  fairly 

17 


1 8      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

close  to  the  sides;  the  hands  back  of  the  seam  of  the 
trousers,  palms  of  the  hands  turned  in  toward  the  body. 


Fig.  2.  Fig.  3. 

Fig.  2. — The  correct  position  of  attention.  Note  position  of  head,  chest, 
waist,  and  arms. 

Fig.  3. — The  incorrect  position  of  attention.  The  weight  is  on  the  heels, 
hips  are  carried  forward  and  the  head  is  hanging. 

Fifth,  the  head  is  held  erect  and  setting  squarely  on 
the  neck,  eyes  looking  directly  to  the  front  and  at  some 


THE  CONDUCT  OF  A  PHYSICAL  DRILL  19 

object  at  least  their  own  height  above  the  floor  or  ground, 
the  chin  shghtly  drawn  in. 

The  position,  as  a  whole,  may  be  well  described  as  one 
indicating  that  the  individual  is  just  as  proud  of  himself 
as  he  can  be  and  on  the  alert  to  prove  his  ability. 

The  squad  should  be  directed  to  assume  the  position 
as  the  explanation  is  given  and  should  then  be  told  that 
this  is  the  position  of  attention  and  that  this  position 
will  be  assumed  with  a  snap  when  the  command  ATTEN- 
TION is  given;  the  heels  coming  together  with  a  smash 
and  the  body  held  absolutely  motionless. 

The  squad  should  then  be  told  that  when  the  command 
REST  is  given,  they  may  relax  and  talk  quietly  among 
themselves  but  that  they  must  retain  one  foot  in  place 
so  that  they  can  come  to  attention  promptly  at  the 
proper  command.  The  men  should  not,  however,  be 
allowed  to  fold  their  arms  across  their  chests  or  in  front 
of  the  abdomen  while  at  rest.  It  should  be  explained  that 
doing  so  tends  to  reduce  the  lung  space  available  for 
breathing  and  constricts  the  vital  organs.  The  pupils 
should  also  be  cautioned  not  to  stand  on  one  leg,  but  to 
carry  the  weight  equally  on  both  legs,  as  an  improper 
position  of  the  hips  is  very  probably  the  cause  of 
many  cases  of  curvature  of  the  spine  and  consequent  ill 
health. 

The  squad  should  now  be  practiced  in  assuming  a  proper 
position  of  attention  from  the  position  of  rest.  The 
instructor  must  absolutely  insist  on  precision  from  the 


20      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

start.  It  is  fully  ten  times  as  hard  to  get  it  later  if  you 
do  not  get  it  now. 

The  last  syllable  of  ATTENTION  should  be  strongly 
accented  and  the  pupils  required  to  assume  the  position 
of  attention  as  the  last  syllable  of  the  command  is  given. 
In  assuming  the  position  of  attention  the  heels  should  be 
brought  together  with  a  click,  the  head  should  be  brought 
up  with  a  slight  toss  and  especial  attention  should  be 
paid  to  the  raising  of  the  chest  and  the  stretch  at  the 
waist. 

Throughout  all  exercises,  whether  executed  while  march- 
ing or  at  a  halt,  emphasis  must  be  constantly  placed  on  the 
posture  of  the  men  and  stress  laid  on  those  parts  of  the 
exercises  which  tend  to  develop  a  correct  carriage. 

The  above  postural  exercise,  i.e.,  coming  to  attention 
from  rest,  is  supplemented  by  the  facings.  In  executing 
right  and  left  face,  the  movement  should  be  done  in  two 
counts,  first,  the  turn  to  the  right  (or  left),  and  second 
the  bringing  of  the  rear  foot  up  beside  the  forward  one, 
with  a  click,  and  the  assumption  of  the  position  of  atten- 
tion with  a  snap,  chest  elevated,  arms  motionless  the 
instant  the  heels  come  together,  and  the  head  up.  There 
is  always  a  tendency  for  men  to  look  down  at  the  feet  in 
executing  the  facings  and  this  shoiild  be  counteracted  by 
requiring  recruits  to  lift  the  chin  r.  fraction  of  an  inch  as 
they  complete  the  movement. 

Every  physical  drill  should  be  preceded  by  a  very  brief 
period  devoted  to  what  may  be  called  discipHnary  exer- 


THE  CONDUCT  OF  A  PHYSICAL  DRILL  21 

cises,  such  as  the  facings,  marching  and  halting.  The 
success  of  the  drill  depends  largely  on  the  results  demanded 
in  this  brief  period.  The  instructor  should  use  it  to  wake 
up  the  men,  to  get  them  under  perfect  control  and  to 
instill  in  them  an  idea  of  the  importance  of  absolute 
precision  and  exactitude. 

Having  the  squad  well  in  hand  and  awake  mentally, 
they  should  be  awakened  physically  by  a  short  period  of 
double  timing,  say  one  to  five  minutes.  It  must  be 
remembered  that  the  object  of  this  double  timing  is  to 
wake  them  up  only,  and  not  to  tire  them  out  so  that  they 
will  not  be  able  to  put  their  best  efforts  into  the  work 
which  is  to  follow.  In  the  double  timing  the  leaders  should 
not  be  allowed  to  run  away  from  the  rest  of  the  squad; 
the  cadence  of  double  timing  should  be  maintained  and 
all  men  required  to  keep  accurate  step. 

Following  the  double  timing  a  few  marching  exercises 
should  be  given.  A  separate  chapter  on  marching  exer- 
cises will  be  found  later  in  the  book. 

After  the  marching  exercises,  the  squad  is  extended  for 
calisthenics.  K  the  detachment  consists  of  eight  squads 
or  less  it  may  be  conveniently  extended  by  taking  distance 
as  prescribed  in  the  Infantry  Drill  regulations.  For  the 
purpose  of  instruction  in  calisthenics  it  is  best  to  have  the 
men  cover  in  file  from  front  to  rear  after  taking  distance. 
This  may  be  accomplished  by  the  command,  i.  In  file, 
2.  COVER.  At  the  second  command,  numbers  one,  both 
front  and  rear  rank,  stand  fast ;  the  others,  numbers  two. 


22      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

three  and  four,  both  front  and  rear  rank,  execute  right 
step  until  covering  the  numbers  one. 

By  having  the  squads  count  twos  or  threes,  instead  of 
fours,  before  taking  distance,  the  space  occupied  by  the 
squad  when  extended  may  be  somewhat  reduced.  To 
reduce  this  space  still  more  the  men  may  be  closed  in 
toward  the  center  after  having  taken  distance.  The  arms 
are  raised  sideward  by  the  command,  i.  Arms  sideward, 
2.  RAISE,  and  the  men  are  then  required  to  close  in  to 
the  center  until  their  finger  tips  touch.  For  this  movement 
the  command,  i.  Close  toward  the  center;  2.  MARCH, 
is  used.  All  men  close  in  on  the  center  file,  using  the  side 
step  and  keeping  step  as  they  do  so.  Each  man  halts 
individually  when,  he  has  obtained  the  proper  interv^al. 
The  arms  are  then  lowered  at  the  command,  i.  Arms, 
2.  DOWN,  and  the  squad  is  faced  to  the  right,  arms  are 
again  raised  sideward  and  the  squad  closed  in  to  left 
(toward  the  instructor)  or  toward  center.  Facing  the 
squad  to  its  original  front  then  finds  it  in  a  compact 
workable  formation,  within  easy  reach  of  the  instructor's 
voice. 

The  following  method  of  extending  a  detachment  is 
much  quicker  than  that  described  above  and  is  the  only 
practical  one  to  use  when  working  w4th  groups  of  one  or 
more  companies. 

Being  in  column  of  squads  facing  the  instructor,  to 
extend  the  company  for  calisthenics,  bayonet  or  similar 
drill,  the  commands  are: 


THE  CONDUCT  OP  A  PHYSICAL  DRILL  23 

I.  Extend  on  numbers  one,  2.  MARCH,  3.  Arms,  4. 
DOWN,  5.  Rear  rank  to  the  right,  6.  JUMP. 

Numbers  one,  both  front  and  rear  rank,  of  all  squads 
stand  fast.  At  the  second  command  numbers  two,  three 
and  four,  both  front  and  rear  rank,  of  all  squads,  facing  to 
the  left  in  marching,  take  up  a  double  time  and  move  out 
to  the  left  flank  of  the  numbers  one.  Numbers  two,  three, 
and  four  halt  and  face  to  the  front  when  they  have  taken 
two,  four,  and  six  steps  respectively.  All,  including  the 
numbers  one,  raise  the  arms  sideward  horizontally  as  soon 
as  they  individually  reach  their  new  positions. 

After  the  completion  of  the  above  the  squad  will  be  in 
four  columns,  the  arms  in  the  sideward  horizontal  position, 
with  an  interval  of  about  twelve  inches  between  the  finger- 
tips of  adjacent  men. 

At  the  fourth  command  the  arms  are  lowered  smartly 
to  the  sides. 

At  the  sixth  command  each  rear  rank  man  (including  the 
numbers  one  of  the  rear  rank)  stride  jumps  squarely  into 
the  middle  of  the  interval  on  his  right,  jumping  a  distance 
of  about  three  and  three-fourths  feet.  In  making  this 
jump,  the  right  leg  is  swung  out  to  the  right,  the  body  is 
thrust  off  to  the  right  with  the  left  leg,  the  body  alights  on 
the  right  foot  and  the  left  heel  is  brought  up  smartly 
against  the  right. 

Being  extended  for  physical  drill,  to  assemble  the  organ- 
ization the  commands  are : 


24        THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

I,  Assemble  on  number  one,  2,  MARCH. 

At  the  second  command,  numbers  one  of  the  front  rank 
stand  fast;  all  others  return  to  their  original  places  in  the 
column  of  squads,  raoving  at  a  double  time. 

Having  extended  the  squad  by  any  of  the  methods  de- 
scribed above,  a  few  jumping  exercises  are  given,  followed 
by  calisthenics.  Both  of  these  are  discussed  in  later  chap- 
ters and  will  therefore  not  be  touched  on  more  fully  here. 

The  drill  should  be  finished  by  assembling  the  squad 
and  executing  one  or  two  facings  and  similar  movements 
just  as  smartly  as  possible.  The  table  given  below  shows 
the  order  in  which  the  various  parts  of  a  physical  drill 
are  taken  up  and  the  time  devoted  to  each. 


1.  Preliminary  disciplinary  exercises 

(Marching  and  Facings) 

2.  Double  timing 

3.  Marching  exercises 

4.  Jumping  exercises 

5.  Calisthenics 

6.  Concluding  disciplinary  exercises. . 


For  the  trained 
soldier,  entire 
daily  period, 
30  minutes. 


2  minutes 

3  minutes 
8  minutes 

4  minutes 
12  minutes 

I  minute 


30  minutes 


For  the  recruit, 
daily  period,  45 
min.  (or  two  30- 
min.  periods.) 


10  mmutes 
2  minutes 

4  minutes 
6  minutes 

18  minutes 

5  minutes 


45  minutes 


Note:  Physical  drills  at  reveille  shotild  be  limited  to  a  few  slow 
stretching  and  bending  movements.  The  object  sought  should 
be  merely  to  loosen  the  bowel  content  and  mildly  accelerate  the 
circulation. 


CHAPTER  III 

CALISTHENICS 

The  calisthenic  exercises  are  the  most  important  part 
of  the  physical  drill  and  for  that  reason  the  greater  portion 
of  the  time  is  allotted  to  them. 

Generally  speaking,  a  calisthenic  drill  should  start  with 
light,  quick,  simple  exercises;  work  up  to  the  heavier 
trunk  and  body  movements  and  finish  with  one  or  two 
light  and  snappy  exercises. 

Variety  is  important,  as  it  keeps  the  drill  from  being 
monotonous,  but  recruits  should  be  exercised  only  with 
the  simplest  possible  movements  and  gradually  moved 
on  to  more  complicated  ones.  At  intervals,  long  compli- 
cated exercises  which  require  coordination  and  a  highly 
developed  muscle  sense  may  be  used.  The  object  of  such 
an  exercise  is  to  show  the  men  something  to  strive  for, 
but,  as  a  rule,  it  has  little  value  in  itself,  as  the  men  are 
not  able  to  do  it  in  unison,  get  out  of  hand  easily,  and 
some  are  apt  to  give  up  and  stop  trying.  New  instructors 
are  usually  very  prone  to  give  such  exercises,  instead  of 
sticking  to  the  simpler  ones,  as  they  should.  It  must  be 
remembered  that  the  interest  of  all  concerned  is  main- 
tained much  more  easily  by  insisting  on  precision  in  the 
execution  of  the  simpler  exercises  than  by  frequent  use 
of  the  properly  so-called  "fancy"  exercises. 

25 


26      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

An  exercise  should  never  be  executed  in  a  slovenly 
manner.  It  is  a  sure  sign  of  inability  if  an  instructor 
allows  his  men  to  execute  an  exercise  in  such  a  way.  Most 
infrequently,  fortunately,  an  instructor  is  foiuid  who 
attempts  to  keep  his  pupils  interested  by  executing  one 
sloppy  exercise  after  another  in  quick  succession.  The 
trouble  in  such  cases  is  too  much  variety  and  not  enough 
attention  to  the  numerous  fine  points  contained  in  each 
exercise.  Every  exercise  has  sufficient  fine  points,  if 
properly  brought  out,  to  maintain  the  interest  of  all;  and 
insistence  on  precision  and  accuracy  of  execution  is  by 
far  the  best  way  to  maintain  this  interest. 

The  exercises  for  any  one  drill  should  follow  each  other 
in  such  a  way  that  no  one  part  of  the  body  is  exercised 
several  times  in  succession.  For  instance,  first  an  arm 
exercise ;  next  a  trunk-bending  exercise ;  next  a  leg  exercise ; 
then  a  neck  exercise;  trunk-twisting  exercise;  leg  and  foot 
exercise,  etc. 

No  exercise  has,  or  ever  should  have,  as  its  object 
the  tiring  out  or  breaking  down  of  the  muscular  fibre, 
rather  very  much  the  opposite.  If  in  doubt  about  an 
exercise  an  instructor  should  always  desist  before  there 
is  any  possibility  of  harm  being  done.  As  Major 
Koehler  says,  "Underdoing  is  rectifiable,  overdoing  is 
often  not." 

The  system  of  commands  for  the  calisthenic  exercises 
is  the  same  as  that  for  all  other  military  drills.  The 
preparatory   command  describes  the  movement  desired 


CALISTHENICS  27 

and  the  command  of  execution  causes  the  execution  of 
the  movement.  For  instance^  in  the  command,  i.  Arms 
Forward,  2.  RAISE,  the  first  command,  Arms  Forward, 
indicates  that  the  arms  are  to  be  raised  to  the  front 
horizontal.  At  the  second  command,  RAISE,  the  arms 
are  raised.  The  arms  wiU  reach  their  forward  position 
one  second  after  the  command  of  execution  is  given,  the 
same  amount  of  time  elapsing  between  the  command  and 
the  completion  of  the  movement  as  elapses  between  the 
command  i.  Forward,  2.  MARCH  and  the  instant  when 
the  left  foot  is  first  planted.  Similarly  in  starting  an 
exercise,  the  movement  begins  after  the  command  EXER- 
CISE and  the  first  position  is  reached  one  second  after 
the  command  EXERCISE  is  given.  Some  men  have  the 
erroneous  idea  that  the  command  EXERCISE  should  find 
them  already  in  the  first  position  of  the  movement.  The 
count  ONE  should  be  given  at  the  instant  that  the  first 
position  is  reached.  It  will  usually  be  necessary  to  caution 
the  squad  not  to  wait  for  the  command  ONE  but  to  start 
at  the  command  EXERCISE.  If  an  instructor  finds  that 
the  squad  is  dragging  at  the  start  it  will  usually  be  because 
the  men  are  waiting  for  the  count  ONE.  A  word  will, 
however,  correct  the  difficulty. 

Note. — Commands  of  execution  are  printed  in  black 
letter  CAPITALS.  Preparatory  commands  are  printed  in 
black  letter  lower  case. 

At  first  the  exercises  must  be  of  the  simplest  possible 
nature,  gradually  increasing  in  difficulty  and  complexity 


28     THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

as  the  men's  brains  become  more  alert  and  their  sense  of 
coordination  increases.  At  the  start,  too,  it  wiU  be  neces- 
sary to  go  through  each  one  of  the  exercises  in  detail, 
before  taking  it  up  in  cadence.  This  consists  in  executing 
each  movement  of  the  exercise  separately,  in  the  order  in 
which  it  occurs  in  the  exercise.  Having  thus  gone  through 
the  exercise  by  detail,  it  is  then  taken  up  in  cadence. 
This  method  of  explanation  by  detailed  execution  should 
be  followed  in  all  exercises  given  to  new  men  and  for  a 
majority  of  the  exercises  given  a  trained  organization.  It 
saves  time  and  keeps  the  interest  of  all  concerned.  The 
"practice  of  making  long  discourses  describing  a  series  of 
movements  which  go  to  make  up  an  exercise  should  be 
religiously  avoided.  If  possible  to  do  so  quickly  and 
concisely,  an  exercise  may  be  described  and  executed  in 
cadence  without  first  being  done  in  detail.  This  applies  to 
simple  exercises,  such  as  the  following,  for  which  the 
entire  command  is  given: 

Being  at  attention: 

"Arms  fonvard,  sideward,  forward  and  dov/n.  In 
four  counts,     EXERCISE,  ONE,  TWO,  etc." 

Being  at  attention: 

"i.  Arms  to  thrust,  2,  RAISE.  Thrust  the  arms 
forward  and  recover.  In  two  counts,  EXERCISE, 
ONE,  TWO,  etc." 

Being  at  attention. 

"i.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE.  Bend  the  trunk 
forward  at  ONE  and  recover  the  erect  position  at  TWO. 
Ready,  EXERCISE,  0-N-E,  TWO,  etc. 


CALISTHENICS  29 

The  method  of  explaining  by  doing  the  exercise  by 
detail  has  the  added  advantage  that  each  position  can 
be  more  correctly  assumed  and  mistakes  corrected  by 
the  use  of  short  clear-cut  phrases  instead  of  by  long, 
tedious,  obscure  descriptions.  Such  phrases  as  the 
following  are  of  great  assistance  and  should  be  used 
freely : 

Heads  UP!  Chests  UP!  Lift  your  chests!  Body 
erect!  S-t-r-e-t-c-h  to  the  finger  tips!  On  your  toes! 
Backs  fiat!  Up  with  a  snap!  Down  further!  Way  over! 
etc.,  etc. 

The  third  exercise  above  executed  in  cadence  without 
first  being  done  in  detail  might  be  done  in  detail  by  the 
following  commands: 

Being  at  attention: 

Hands  on  hips,  PLACE.  Bend  the  trunk  forward  and 
hold  it,  BEND.  KNEES  STRAIGHT!  BACKS  FLAT! 
To  the  erect  position,  RISE.  Take  that  as  an  exercise. 
Come  up  to  the  erect  position  with  a  snap  at  TWO. 
Ready,  EXERCISE  0-N-E,  TWO,  etc. 

In  the  calisthenic  exercises  the  instructor  should  not 
necessarily  limit  himself  to  the  exercises  suggested  in  the 
latter  part  of  this  chapter  and  he  should  not  attempt  to 
.  memorize  the  preparatory  explanations  for  these  exercises, 
if  doing  so  will  make  his  work  mechanical.  Any  concise, 
easily  understood,  explanatory  commands  are  proper  to 
be  used. 

It  may  be  well  to  start  the  squad  off  with  a  simple 


30      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRH^L 


arm  exercise,  such  as  an  exercise  alternately  raising  the 

arms  forward  to  the  horizontal  position,  and  returning 

them  again  to  the  sides. 
The  section  should  be 
told  that  at  the  com- 
mand, Arms  forward, 
RAISE,  the  arms  are 
brought  up  with  a  snap 
to  the  forward  horizon- 
tal position,  the  elbows 
and  wrists  straight, 
palms  of  the  hands 
down,  the  hands  sepa- 
rated the  w4dth  of  the 
chest  and  held  at  the 
height  of  the  shoulder 
(Fig.  4).  The  section 
should  then  be  required 
to  execute  the  move- 
ment. 

Having  the  arms  in 
any  other  position  than 
hanging  naturally  by 
the  sides,  the  arms  are 
brought   back   to  their 

normal  position  by  the  command,  Arms,  DOWN. 
After  practicing  raising  and  lowering  the  arms  a  few 

times,  the  movements  just  executed  in  detail  should  now 


Fig.  4.— arms  FORWARD.  RAISE.— 
The  head  is  up,  chest  raised  and  the  back 
flat.     The  fingers  are  extended  and  joined. 


CALISTHENICS  31 

be  executed  as  a  continuous,  cadenced  exercise,  the 
exercise  being  started  by  the  command,  i.  Ready,  2. 
EXERCISE.  The  command,  EXERCISE,  is  the  com- 
mand of  execution;  at  that  command  all  start  the 
exercise  previously  indicated.  In  a  simple  arm  exer- 
cise, such  as  the  one  just  indicated,  the  cadence  is  the 
same  as  the  cadence  of  quick  time,  i.e.,  120  movements 
per  minute. 

In  order  to  keep  the  section  working  together,  and 
to  properly  emphasize  the  important  parts  of  the  exercise, 
the  instructor  should  count  as  the  section  is  executing 
the  exercise.  If  the  exercise  is  made  up  of  two  movements, 
the  instructor  counts  ONE,  TWO,  ONE,  TWO,  etc., 
the  numerals  being  given  in  a  clear-cut,  snappy  manner 
and  each  count  given  just  at  the  instant  that  a  defined 
position  is  reached.  For  instance,  in  the  exercise,  raising 
the  arms  forward,  which  has  just  been  described,  the 
count,  ONE,  should  be  given  just  as  the  arms  reach  the 
arms  forward  position,  and  the  count,  TWO,  should 
be  given  just  as  the  arms  reach  their  position  at  the  sides. 
If  the  exercise  has  four  movements  the  count  would  be, 
ONE,  TWO,  THREE,  FOUR,  ONE,  TWO,  etc.,  the 
number  of  counts  depending  in  every  case  on  the  number 
of  movements  in  the  exercise.  At  the  last  count,  the 
pupils  should  in  every  case  be  back  in  the  position  from 
which  they  started. 

To  stop  the  execution  of  the  exercise  the  command 
HALT  is  given  in  place  of  the  last  count,  which  should 


32      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

of  course  find  the  men  in  the  position  from  which  the 
exercise  was  started,  as  stated  above.  To  warn  the 
men  that  the  command  HALT  is  coming  the  counts  just 
preceding  the  command  HALT  should  be  given  with  a 
different  inflection  from  that  of  the  other  counts,  and 
should  be  drawn  out,  as:  ONE,  TWO,  THREE,  FOUR, 
0-N-E,   T-W-0,   T-H-R-E-E,  HALT. 

The  manner  of  counting  is  most  important  and  should 
indicate  to  the  squad  the  manner  in  w^hich  the  instructor 
wishes  the  exercise  to  be  executed.  Arm  exercises  will, 
as  a  rule,  be  executed  in  a  clear-cut,  precise  manner,  and 
the  counts  for  them  will  usually  be  short  and  sharp  and 
follow  each  other  in  quick  succession.  Stretching  and 
bending  exercises  will  require  not  only  more  interval 
between  the  counts  but  those  counts  which  indicate  the 
■finish  of  a  stretch  will  themselves  be  drawn  out  and  in- 
dicate that  the  desired  movement  is  a  stretch.  Count:; 
which  indicate  a  stretch  will  frequently  alternate  with 
those  indicating  a  snappy  return  to  some  other  position. 
For  example,  in  the  exercise  in  which  the  trunk  is  bent 
backward  at  the  hips  at  the  first  count  and  the  erect 
position  is  resimied  at  the  second,  the  counts  would  bo 
given,  0-N-E,  TWO,  0-N-E,  TWO,  etc.  The  interest  of 
the  pupils  will  depend  almost  entirely  on  the  manner  in 
which  the  instructor  uses  his  voice  to  lift  them  into  the 
exercises.  It  may  be  well  to  mention  that  volume  of 
tone  will  not  alone  produce  the  desired  results;  quality 
is  the  thing  most  to  be  sought  for,  and  hardest  to  obtain. 


CALISTHENICS  33 

Chapter  VII,  on  "Giving  Commands"  will  be  of  assist- 
ance on  this  important  subject. 

All  exercises  do  not  necessarily  start  from  the  position 
of  attention.  The  following  so-called  starting  positions 
may  be  advantageously  used  to  vary  the  exercises. 

The  arms  forward  position,  previously  described, 
may  be  used  as  a  starting  position. 

In  the  explanations  which  follow,  the  command  used 
to  cause  the  section  to  assume  the  position  desired  will 
be  indicated,  and  then  followed  by  a  description  of  tht' 
position. 

I.  Arms  sideward,  2.  RAISE. 

Raise  the  arms  sideward  to  a  horizontal  position,  the 
elbows  and  wrists  straight,  palms  of  the  hands  turned 
down  and  at  the  height  of  the  shoulders.    (Fig.  13.) 

I.  Arms  overhead,    2.  RAISE. 

Raise  the  arms  through  the  sideward  position  to  a 
vertical  position  above  the  head, elbows  and  wrists  straight, 
palms  of  the  hands  turned  in  and  separated  the  width 
of  the  chest.     (Fig.  5.) 

Note:  Arms  are  raised  overhead  through  the  forward 
position  by  the  command  i.  Arms  forward  overhead, 
2.  RAISE. 

I.  Arms  to  thrust,   2.  RAISE. 

Raise  the  forearms  to  a  horizontal  position,  the  elbows 
bent,  wrists  straight,  fists  clenched,  palms  of  the  hands 
turned  up,  the  middle  point  of  the  forearm  resting  against 


34      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

the  sides,  elbows  forced  well  back.     (Fig.  6).     Keep  the 
chest  well  elevated  and  head  up. 


Fig.  5.  Fig.  6. 

Fig.  5.— arms  OVERHEAD,  RAISE.  The  body  is  stretched  from  the 
heels  to  the  finger  tips. 

Fig.  6.— arms  TO  THRUST,  RAISE.  Elbows  forced  back,  hands 
closed,  knuckles  down. 

I.  Forearms  to  the  vertical,  2.  RAISE. 

The  upper  arm  remains  in  place,  the  elbow  is  bent 


CALISTHENICS 


35 


and  the  forearm  raised  to  a  vertical  position,  the  wrists 
are  straight,  the  fingers  extended,  the  palms  of  the  hands 


Fig.  7. 


Fig.  8. 


Fig.  7.— forearms  TO  THE  VERTICAL. 
Fig.  8.— hands  ON  SHOULDERS.  PLACE, 
the  shoulders. 


RAISE. 
Elbows  on  a  level  with 


turned  in  and  the  hands  held  just  in  front  of  and  at  the 
height  of  the  shoulders.  (Fig.  7.) 


36      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

I.  Hands  on  shoulders,  2.  PLACE. 

First  raise  the  forearms  to  the  vertical  position  just 
described  and  continue  the  upward  movement  by  rais- 
ing the  elbows  upward  and  outward  until  the  elbows  are 
at  the  height  of  the  shoulders  and  are  forced  back  on 
line  with  them,  let  the  hands  droop  until  the  finger  tips 
touch  the  shoulders.    (Fig.  8.) 

I.   Fingers  in  rear  of  head,  2.    CLASP. 

Raise  the  arms  as  described  in  coming  to  the  position 
of  hands  on  shoulders,  continue  raising  the  elbows  and 
lace  the  fingers  together,  the  palms  of  the  hands  to  the 
front  and  resting  against  the  lower  part  of  the  back  of 
the  head;  force  the  elbows  well  back.  Caution.  Do 
not  allow  the  head  to  droop  to  the  front. 

I.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE. 

Raise  the  hands  and  place  them  on  the  hips,  thumbs 
to  the  rear,  fingers  horizontal,  elbows  carried  well  back. 

(Fig.  9-) 
I.  To  the  side  straddle  position,  2.  HOP. 

At  the  second  command,  a  hop  is  executed  and  the  legs 
separated  at  the  same  time,  so  that  when  the  feet  are 
planted  they  will  be  separated  the  length  of  the  inseam 
of  the  leg  (about  thirty  inches  for  the  average  man). 
The  toes  should  strike  the  ground  first  and  the  position 
be  assumed  without  jar.  In  the  final  position  assumed 
the  legs  are  straight  and  the  body  in  its  normal  erect 
position. 

Some  position  of  the  hands  or  arms  is  usually  assumed 


CALISTHENICS  37 

simultaneously  with  the  assumption  of  the  side  straddle 
position. 


Tic.  9.  Fig.  10. 

Fig.  9-— hands  ON  HIPS,  PLACE.  Finger  tips  along  the  seam  of  the 
trousers.     Elbows  well  back. 

Fig.  10.— to  THE  SIDE  STRADDLE  POSITION,  HANDS  ON  HIPS, 
HOP. 

The  commands  for  such  movements  are  similar  to  the 
following : 

52877. 


38      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 


I.  Side  straddle  position,  hands  on  hips,    2.  Ready, 
3.  HOP.    (Fig.  10). 

I.  Side  straddle  posi- 
tion, raise  the  arms  side- 
ward, 2.  Ready,  3.  HOP. 
I.  Side  straddle  posi- 
tion, hands  on  shoulders, 
2.  Ready,  3.  HOP. 

I.  To    the   squatting 
position,  2.  BEND. 

Bend  the  knees  as  far 
as  possible,  lowerin^,^  the 
body  until  the  buttocks 
rest  on  the  heels  and 
place  the  hands  on  the 
ground  between  and  in 
front  of  the  feet,  palms 
down.  The  body  is  in- 
clined forward.  (Fig.  11.) 
Caution:  Do  not  let 
the  head  fall  forward, 
keep  the  chest  raised  and 
the  head  u]j,  eyes  look- 
ing out  to  the  front  and  not  toward  the  ground. 

Many  exercises  may  be  started  from  the  prone  position. 
These  are  discussed  later  in  this  chapter. 

Any  one  of  the  above  starting  positions  can  be  assumed 
directly  from  any  other  position.    When  giving  an  exercise 


Fig.   II.— to  THE  SQUATTING 
POSITION,   BEND. 


CALISTHENICS  39 

in  which  it  is  not  intended  to  use  the  arms,  the}"  should 
ahvays  be  first  brought  to  one  of  the  starting  positions 
and  remain  there  during  the  exercise.  The  exercise 
being  finished,  the  arms  are  brought  back  to  their  normal 
position  by  the  command,  i.  Arms,  2.  DOWN. 

The  section  should  be  allowed  frequent,  short  rests 
between  the  exercises. 

At  frequent  intervals  and  usually  just  preceding  one 
of  the  rests  the  instructor  should  give  one  of  the  following 
breathing  exercises.  The  commands  for  the  most  usual 
of  these  exercises  are  i .  Raise  the  arms  forward,  Breathing 
exercise,  2.  INHALE,  3.  EXHALE. 

At  the  command  INHALE,  the  arms  are  raised  slowly 
fonvard,  then  overhead,  Vviiile  the  lungs  are  slowly  filled 
and  the  chest  raised;  as  the  arms  reach  the  overhead 
position  the  men  rise  on  the-  toes,  then  separate  the  hands 
until  the  arms  are  pointing  diagonally  upward  and  out- 
ward and  stretch  from  the  tips  of  their  toes  to  their 
fingers.  At  the  command  EXHALE,  the  air  is  expelled 
from  the  lungs  and  the  entire  body  is  relaxed,  the  arms 
dropping  to  the  sides  and  the  standing  position  with  the 
heels  on  the  floor  resumed.  The  command  for  the  ex- 
halation may  be  given  as  above  or:  3.  Quickly,  4.  EX- 
HALE. At  the  latter  command  the  arms  are  dropped 
quickly  to  the  sides  and  the  air  forcibly  expelled  from  the 
lungs.  The  slow  exhalation  is  preferable,  as  more  air  is 
expelled  from  the  lungs.  The  quick  exhalation  provides 
restful  variety. 


40      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

The  above  breathing  exercise  may  be  varied  by  raising 
the  arms  sideward  overhead  with  the  inhalation. 

A  breathing  exercise  may  be  taken  from  the  arms  in 
the  thrust  position  or  in  the  normal  position  at  the  sides. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  breathing  exercise  is 
not  a  cadenced  movement  to  be  taken  as  are  the  calisthenic 
exercises.  Three  inhalations  in  a  group  are  sufficient  and 
each  should  be  entirely  separate  from  the  others  and  at 
sufficient  interval  to  allow  complete  relaxation. 

Natural  breathing  should  continue  during  aU  the 
calisthenic  movements,  but  cadenced  breathing  may  be 
combined  with  a  calisthenic  movement,  such  as  raising 
the  shoulders  (arms  at  thrust),  at  the  same  time  filling 
the  lungs ;  and  lowering  the  shoulders  with  the  exhalation. 
In  order  that  the  squad  may  get  the  most  out  of  the 
breathing  exercises  they  should  be  urged  on  by  inter- 
polating directions  such  as: 

Fill   them   up! 
On  your  toes! 
S-t-r-e-t-c-h ! 
Come  on ! 
All  these  interpolations  must  be  given  in  a  tone  indi- 
cating the  stretch  desired,  indicating  that  the  instructor 
is  mentally  filling  his  own  lungs  almost  to  the  bursting 
point. 

It  is  not  mtended  that  the  exercises  should  be  mem- 
orized as  is  a  drill  movement.  The  exercises  which  follow 
are  introduced  to  help  the  new  instructor  get  the  knack 


CALISTHENICS  41 

of  giving  the  calisthenic  exercises.  The  nomenclature 
of  the  exercises  should  be  generally  followed,  but  is  of 
small  importance.  For  instance,  the  command  RAISE 
is  usually  used  to  indicate  an  upward  movement  and  the 
command  MOVE  to  indicate  a  horizontal  movement, 
but  they  may  be  frequently  interchanged;  i.  Arms  for- 
ward, 2.  MOVE  or  RAISE  being  perfectly  proper. 

In  starting  an  exercise  the  commands  may  be  either: 

I.  Ready,  2.  EXERCISE,  i.  In  cadence,  2.  EXER- 
CISE or  I.  In  4  (or  other  nimiber)  counts.  2.  EXERCISE. 

In  giving  the  command  EXERCISE,  the  first  syllable 
should  be  energized  and  is  really  the  command  of  execution. 

In  counting  for  both  the  marching  exercises  and  the 
calisthenics  the  instructor  is  not  counting  merely  to 
keep  the  organization  working  in  unison.  He  must 
use  his  voice  for  something  more  than  a  mere  metronome ; 
it  must  urge  the  men  on,  lift  them  up  to  the  high  points, 
make  them  come  to  the  precise  positions  with  snap;  it 
must  s-t-r-e-t-c-h  them  up  to  the  very  tips  of  their  toes 
in  the  upward  reaches  and  push  them  down  to  their 
extreme  lower  limit  in  the  bending  exercises.  The  in- 
structor is  not  limited  to  the  use  of  numbers  in  counting 
for  the  exercises  but  may  substitute  words  and  whole 
phrases  at  will. 

In  counting  for  a  stretching  movement  the  number 
or  word  is  drawn  out  and  the  tone  of  the  voice  indicates 
that  a  stretch  is  being  executed.  If  the  instructor  will 
execute  mentally  every  movement  that  he  counts  for, 


42      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

he  will  have  no  trouble  in  getting  the  desired  result.  He 
must  enter  into  the  exercise  heart  and  soul,  doing  mentally 
just  what  his  men  are  doing  physically,  and  do  it  harder 
than  any  man  in  his  squad. 

An  exercise  involving  a  forward  bend  of  the  trunk 
at  the  waist  and  a  quick,  snappy  recovery  in  coming  to 
the  erect  position  would  be  counted  as  follows : 

I.  Ready,  2.  EXERCISE, 

0-N-E,   TWO, 

0-N-E,  TWO, 

Down    L-0-W-E-R,    TWO, 

Way  D-O-W-N,  TWO, 

0-N-E,  TWO, 

0-N-E,  Heads  UP,  etc. 

The  ONE  is  drawn  out  in  each  case  and  TWO  is  shot 
out  and  clipped  off  just  as  sharply  as  possible. 

An  exercise  involving  an  upward  stretch  of  the  entire 
body  should  be  counted  to  indicate  the  stretch  desired. 
For  instance,  take  the  exercise  which  starts  from  the 
position  of  arms  forward  and  in  which  the  arms  are  raised 
overhead  coming  u])  on  the  toes  at  ONE ;  and  the  starting 
position  is  regained  at  TWO: 

I.  In  two  counts,  2.  EXERCISE- 

0-N-E,  TWO, 

S-T-R-R-R-ETCH,   TWO, 

ON  Your  T-O-E-S,   TWO, 

H-I-G-H-E-R,  TWO,  etc. 


CALISTHENICS  43 

Individual  correction  may  be  made  during  an  exer- 
cise by  substituting  the  man's  name  for  one  count  and 
indicating  the  desired  correction  on  the  next  or  succeeding 
counts. 

For  instance,  in  the  exercise  just  mentioned  the  count 
might  run: 

0-N-E,   TWO, 

0-N-E,  BROWN, 

Up  On  Your  T-O-E-S,    TWO, 

0-N-E,   TWO, 

0-N-E,  that's  RIGHT, 

0-N-E,  TWO. 

An  exercise  involving  any  stretching  movement  will 
usually  offer  opportunity  to  substitute  entire  phrases 
for  single  counts  as  has  been  done  above.  Exercises  in 
which  all  the  movements  are  reached  with  snap  however 
usually  offer  opportunity  for  the  substitution  of  single 
words  only.    For  example : 

Arms  forward,  sideward,  fonvard  and  down. 
I.  In    four    counts,     2.  EXERCISE, 
ONE,  TWO,  THREE,  FOUR, 
MARK,  EACH,  POSITION,  FOUR, 
ONE,  TWO,  THREE,  FOUR, 
HOLD,  your  HEADS,  UP,  FOUR, 
ONE,  TWO,  HOLD,  them  Up, 
ONE,  TWO,  THREE,  FOUR, 
0-N-E,   T-W-0,   T-H-R-E-E.   HALT. 


44     THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OP  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

In  counting  for  such  an  exercise  the  words  substituted 
must  be  clipped  off  just  as  sharply  as  the  numbers  for 
which  they  are  substituted. 

The  command  HALT  is  given  in  order  to  stop  the  cal- 
isthenic  or  rifle  exercises.  The  command  i.  Quick  time, 
2.  MARCH  is  given  to  stop  the  execution  of  a  marching 
exercise  without  stopping  the  marching  itself.  In  giving 
the  command  HALT  to  stop  a  calisthenic  exercise,  the 
word  HALT  is  substituted  for  the  last  number  used  in 
counting  for  the  exercise;  i.e.,  for  FOUR  in  a  four-count 
exercise;  for  TWO  in  a  two -count  exercise,  etc.  'In  order 
that  the  squad  may  know  that  the  command  HALT  is 
coming  the  numbers  just  preceding  the  command  HALT 
are  drawn  out  and  given  with  a  fuller  and  deeper  tone. 
The  cadence  is  not  changed,  but  the  space  which  ordi- 
narily exists  between  numbers  is  filled  up  and  the  numbers 
are  run  into  each  other.  The  command  HALT  is  given 
sharply  and  with  a  rising  inflection  of  the  voice.  For 
example  a  four-count  exercise,  composed  of  four  snappy 
movements,  would  be  stopped  as  follows : 

ONE,  TWO,  THREE,  FOUR, 
ONE,  TWO,  THREE,  FOUR, 
0-N-E,  T-W-0,  T-H-R-E-E,  HALT 

In  a  two-count  exercise  the  two  counts  preceding  the 
command  HALT  are  both  drawn  out ;  for  example, 
ONE,    TWO,    ONE,    TWO, 
ONE,  T-W-0,  0-N-E,  HALT. 


CALISTHENICS  45 

In  halting  an  exercise  in  which  one  or  all  of  the  move- 
ments are  stretching  movements  warning  is  given  that 
the  command  HALT  is  coming  by  drawing  out  any 
numbers  not  already  so  drawn  out  and  by  changing  the 
tone  and  inflection  on  the  last  set  of  numbers. 

In  an  exercise  composed  entirely  of  slow  stretching 
or  bending  movements  no  trouble  will  be  experienced 
if  the  command  HALT  is  given  just  a  fraction  of  a  second 
before  the  last  position  has  been  reached. 

Some  instructors  substitute  the  command  Company 
(Squad,  etc.)  HALT  for  the  last  set  of  numbers,  the 
command  HALT  coming  as  the  next  to  the  last  position  is 
reached,    For  example: 

ONE,  TWO,  THREE,  FOUR, 
Compan-y-y  HALT. 

In  many  of  the  bending  exercises  it  often  helps  to  in- 
terpolate the  word  "and"  between  the  numbers,  and  in 
order  to  make  all  the  men  reach  the  end  of  the  bend  to- 
gether the  count  for  the  movement  is  drawn  out  and  then 
cut  off  with  what  may  be  called  a  vocal  whip.  The  first 
part  of  the  number  is  drawn  out  even  longer  than  usual 
and  the  last  part  emitted  with  a  snap  and  cut  off  sharply, 
For  example,  an  exercise  in  which  a  bend  comes  on  the 
third  coimt  might  be  counted: 

ONE,    TWO,    T-H-H-H-REE,    FOUR 
ONE,    TWO,    T-H-H-H-REE,    FOUR 


46      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

Prone  Exercises. 

Many  exercises  may  be  given  from  the  prone  and  from 
the  sitting  position  on  the  ground.  Most  of  these  exercises 
are  excellent  to  develop  the  muscles  of  the  abdomen, 
upon  whose  development  all  real  activity  hinges. 

Being  at  attention,  the  supine  position  is  assumed 
in  the  following  manner.  First  the  squad  assumes  the 
squatting  position  at  the  command,  I.  To  the  squatting 
position,  2.  BEND.  (Fig.  ii.)  The  legs  are  then  ex- 
tended backward  by  the  command,  i.  Legs  backward, 
2.  EXTEND.  This  extension  of  the  legs  backward  puts 
the  body  in  what  is  known  as  the  leaning-rest  position: 
In  this  position  (Fig.  12)  the  body  is  supported  on  the 
hands  and  toes,  arms  straight,  head  up,  eyes  looking  out  to 
the  front,  chest  raised,  body  and  legs  straight.  Caution : 
Do  not  allow  the  body  to  sag  downward  or  the  hips  to  be 
raised  above  the  line  running  from  the  shoulders  to  the  heels. 

The   sitting   position   is   assumed   by   the   commands: 

1.  Squat  through  between  the  arms  to  the  sitting  position, 

2.  SQUAT.  At  the  second  command  the  knees  are  doubled 
up  and  the  legs  are  shot  forward  between  the  arms  and  a 
sitting  position,  facing  to  the  front,  is  assumed,  legs 
straight,  body  erect,  hands  on  the  ground  at  the  sides. 

The  prone  position  on  the  back  is  assumed  by  the  com- 
mand:   I.  To  the  prone  position,  2.  LIE  DOWN. 

A  list  of  exercises  to  be  taken  from  the  prone  and  sitting 
positions  appears  at  the  end  of  this  chapter. 

The  list  of  exercises  below  will  provide  sufficient  ma- 


CALISTHENICS 


47 


terial  for  all  purposes.  In  conducting  a  drill  the  exercises 
should  follow  in  logical  sequence,  i.e.,  first  an  exercise 
for  the  neck,  then  the  arms,  then  the  trunk,  legs,  etc. 
The  instructor  should  select  his  exercises  so  that  all  parts 


Fig.   12.— legs  BACKWARD.   EXTEND.     The  lea: 


of  the  body  will  be  exercised  and  both  sides  of  the  body 
developed  equally. 

A  portion  of  the  War  Department  Special  Regulations 
No.  23  (19 1 7),  is  included  in  the  latter  part  of  the  book 
as  an  appendix.  These  regulations  were  written  by  Major 
Koehler  with  an  especial  view  to  their  use  by  new  instruc- 
tors. They  contain  programs  of  daily  work  which  may  be 
used  as  drill  schedules  and  models  for  additional  scheduler 


48      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

Suggested  Calisthenic  Exercises 
I.  simple  arm  exercises 
Starting  from  position  of  attention: 

1 .  Raise  arms  forward ;  and  lower  them  to  the  sides — 

2  counts. 

2 .  Raise  arms  sideward ;  and  lower  them  to  the  sides — 

2  counts. 

3.  Raise  arms  forward  overhead;  and  lower  them  to 

the  sides — 2  counts. 

4.  Raise  arms  forward;  upward;  forward;  and  down — 

4  counts. 

5.  Raise  arms  forward ;  sideward ;  forward  and  down — 

4  counts. 

6.  Raise  arms  forward;  sideward;  upward;  sideward; 

forward  and  down — 6  counts. 

7.  Raise    forearms    to    the    vertical    position;    and 

recover — 2  counts. 

8.  Raise  forearms  to  the  vertical  position;  extend 

arms  upward  (or  for^vard) ;  and  recover  in  reverse 
order — 4  counts. 
Starting  from  position  with  arms  to  thrust : 

9.  Thrust  arms  forward;  and  recover — 2  counts. 
(The  knuckles  are  turned  up  as  the  fists  go  for^vard) 

10.  Thrust  arms  upward;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

1 1 .  Thrust  arms  sideward ;  and  recover — 2  counts. 


CALISTHENICS  49 

12.  Thrust  arms  downward;  and  recover — 2  counts- 

(The  knuckles  are  turned  in  toward  the  body 
and  the  fists  are  thrust  downward  and  to  the 
rear,  chest  up.) 

13.  Thrust  arms  forward  and  upward  ahemately — 

4  counts. 

14.  Thrust  arms  forward;  swing  them  upward  (or 
downward);  forward  again;  and  recover — 4 
counts. 

15.  Thrust  arms  forward,  swing  the  right  up  and  the 
left  down;  both  forward  together;  and  recover 
the  thrust  position.  The  second  time  the  left 
arm  goes  up  and  the  right  down,  etc. — 4  counts. 

16.  Thrust  the  arms  forward  (upward,  or  sideward) 
right  and  left  arms  alternately — 4  counts. 

Starting  from  position  with  hands  on  shoulders : 

17.  Bring  the  elbows  together  in  front;  and  recover — 

2  counts.  (In  all  these  exercises  the  elbows 
must  be  kept  up  and  well  back,  chest  raised.) 

18.  Extend  the  arms  sideward ;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

19.  Extend  the  arms  upward;  and  recover — 2  counts. 
20    Extend  the  arms  forward;  swing  them  sideward; 

forward;  and  recover — 4  counts. 

21.  Lower  the  elbows  to  the  sides  and  recover — 2 
counts. 

22.  Circle  the  elbows  upward  and  backward — 4 
counts.  (Count  as  a  four-count  exercise,  one 
count  for  each  circle.) 


50      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

23.  Extend  the  arms  sideward;  swing  them  upward; 
sideward  again;  and  recover — 4  counts. 

24.  Extend  the  arms  sideward;  curl  the  hands  under 
the  armpits;  extend  sideward  again;  and  recover 
— 4  counts. 

Starting  from  position  with  forearms  raised  to  the  vertical 
position. 

25.  Extend  both  arms  upward  and  downward  alter- 
nately— 4  counts. 

26.  Extend  the  right  arm  upward  and  the  left  down- 
ward; recover  the  starting  position;  extend  the 
left  arm  upward  and  the  right  arm  downward; 
recover  the  starting  position — 4  coimts. 

27.  (i)  Extend  the  right  arm  upward;  (2)  then  the 
left  arm  upward;  (3)  right  arm  back  to  the  verti- 
cal; (4)  then  the  left  one  back  to  the  vertical; 
(5)  extend  the  right  arm  downward;  (6)  then  the 
left  arm;  (7)  bring  the  right  arm  back  to  the 
starting  position;  (8)  and  then  the  left  arm  back 
to  the  starting  position — 8  counts. 

28.  Same  as  27,  except  that  (i)  the  right  arm  goes 

upward,    then  (2)  the  left  downward,  etc.     (The 
right  arm  always  leads) — 8  counts. 

IL    SIMPLE  TRUNK  EXERCISES 

Starting  from  position  mth  hands  on  hips  (or  on  shoulders, 
or  clasped  behind  the  head) . 

29.  Bend  the  trunk  forward  and  recover  smartly, 


CALISTHENICS  51 

chest  lifted,  head  up.  2  counts.  (May  be  exe- 
cuted two  ways,  i.e.,  allowing  the  head  to  droop 
and  bending  the  entire  spine,  or  keeping  the  back 
straight  and  head  up,  thus  localizing  the  bend 
at  the  waist). 

30.  Bend  the  trunk  alternately  to  the  right  and  left. 

(Mark  each  recovery  to  the  erect  position) — 4 
counts. 

3 1 .  Twist  the  trunk  to  the  right  and  left  alternately — 
4  counts.  (Hold  the  hips  steady.  Turn  the  upper 
trunk  only.) 

32.  Bend  forward  at  the  waist;  circle  the  trunk  to 
the  right ;  backward ;  left ;  forward ;  and  recover — 
6  counts. 

III.    SIMPLE  LEG  EXERCISES 

Starting  from  position  with  hands  on  hips  or  on  shoulders 
or  clasped  behind  head,  etc. ; 

33.  Rise  on  toes  and  recover — 2  counts.     (Make  the 

chest  pull  the  body  up.) 
34    Raise  the  legs  forward  alternately,  knee  straight, 
toes  depressed,  body  erect — 4  counts. 

35.  Raise  the  legs  backward  alternately — 4  counts. 

36.  Raise  the  legs  sideward   alternately — 4     counts. 

37.  Raise  the  knees  alternately,  (lower  leg  vertical, 

toe  depressed,  body  erect) — 4  counts. 


52      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

38.  Bend  to  full  knee  bending  position;  and  recover 

(knees  well   separated,  body  erect) — 2   counts. 

39.  Raise  the  balls  of  the  feet  and  recover — 2  counts. 

40.  Rise  on  right  and  left  toes  alternately — 4  counts. 

41.  Hop   to   side   straddle   position   and   recover — 2 
cotints. 

42.  Lunge  to  the  right  and  left  alternately— 4  counts. 

43.  Lunge    forward    on   right    and    left    legs    aher- 
nately — 4  counts 

IV.    COMBINATION  EXERCISES 

The  number  of  combinations  of  arm,  trunk  and  foot 
movements  is  limitless.  Only  a  few  are  indicated  below. 
The  instructor  will  find  it  easy  to  formulate  others.  The 
instructor  is  again  warned  to  keep  the  exercises  simple. 

Starting  from  position  with  hands  on  hips,  or   on   shoul- 
ders, etc. : 

44.  Extend  the  chin  forward  and  recover — 2  counts. 

45.  Bend  the  head  to  the  right  and  left  alternately — 

4  counts. 

46.  Turn  the  head  to  the  right  and  left  alternately — 4 
counts. 

47.  Raise  the  shoulders  and  recover — 2  counts. 

48.  Move  the  shoulders  forward;  raise  them  upward; 
move  them  backward;  and  lower  them — 4  counts. 

49.  Curl  the  shoulders  forward  and  recover — 2  counts. 

50.  Bend  to  the  squatting  position;  extend  the  legs 


CALISTHENICS  53 

backward  to  the  leaning-rest;  draw  the  legs  up 
to  the  squatting  position;  recover  the  erect 
position  (hands  on  hips) — 4  counts. 


Fig.  13.— full  BEND  KNEES  AND  EXTEND  THE  ARMS  SIDE- 
WARD, BEND.  The  knees  are  well  separated  and  forced  down  in  front.  The 
body  is  erect  on  the  hips,  chest  up,  chin  raised. 

51.  Bend  forward  at  the  waist  and  reach  down  touch- 
ing the  toes  with  the  finger  tips;  recover.  (Re- 
cover sharply,  head  and  chest  up) — 2  counts. 

52.  Raise  the  right  leg  forward  and  extend  the  right 
arm  forward,  endeavor  to  kick  the  hand.  Alter- 
nate right  and  left — 4  counts. 


54     THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

53.  Full  bend  knees  and  extend  the  arms  forward 

(or  sideward  or  upw^ard) ;   and  recover   (hands 
on  hips) — 2   counts.      (Fig.    13.) 
Starting  from  the  leaning-rest  position  (Fig.  12.) 

54.  Draw  the  legs  up  to  the  squatting  position;  and 

extend  them  forcibly  back  to  the  leaning-rest 
position — 2   counts. 

55.  Draw  the  legs  up  alternately — 4  counts. 

56.  Draw  the  right  leg  up;  then  draw  the  left  leg 
up  as  the  right  is  extended,  etc. — 2  counts. 

57.  With  the  knee  straight,  swing  the  legs  up  to  the 
right  and  left  alternately — 4  counts. 

58.  Bend  the  arms  and  lower  the  body  until  the  chin 
touches  the  ground;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

59.  Separate  the  legs;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

60.  Draw  the  legs  up  to  the  squatting  position;  hop  to 
the  side  straddle  position  (knees  straight) ; 
recover  the  squatting  position;  recover  the 
leaning  rest  position — 4  counts. 

61.  Hop  directly  to  the  side  straddle  position,  the 
hands  remaining  in  position  on  the  floor;  and  re- 
cover the  leaning  rest  position — 2  counts. 

Starting  from  the  squatting  position  (Fig.  11.) 

62.  Extend  the  right  leg  sideward  and  forw^ard  as  far 
as  possible,  knee  straight,  toes  depressed;  recover, 
alternate  right  and  left — 4  courts. 


CALISTHENICS  55 

63.  Keeping  the  hands  and  feet  in  place,  extend  the 
legs  and  raise  the  buttocks  until  the  knees  are 
straight;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

64.  Extend  both  legs  to  the  right;  recover;  extend 
them  to  the  left;  and  recover — 4  counts. 

Starting  from  the  side  straddle  position  with  arms  ex- 
tended sideward: 

65.  Twist  the  trunk  alternately  to  the  right  and  left; 
recover  the  starting  position  smartly — 4  counts. 

66.  Bend  forward  at  the  waist  and  touch  the  ground 

with  finger  tips;  (then  knuckles,  then  the  palm 
of  the  hand) ;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

67.  Bend  forward  over  the  right  knee  and  clasp  the 
thigh  with  both  arms;  recover;  same  to  the  left; 
(get  a  full  recovery  each  time) — 4  coimts. 

68.  Bombing   exercise: 

Bend  the  trunk  to  the  right  and  touch  the  right 
ankle  with  the  back  of  the  right  hand;  swing 
through  the  erect  position  to  the  same  bend  to 
the  left — 2  counts. 

69.  Full  bend  knees  and  raise  the  arms  over  head; 
recover — 2  counts. 

70.  Bend  backward  and  raise  the  arms  forward; 
recover — 2  counts. 

71.  Hop  to  the  position  of  attention  with  hands  on 
shoulders;   recover — 2    counts. 

72.  Close  and  open  hands.  (In  opening  the  fists  the 
fingers  should  be  forcibly  extended.) 


56      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

73.  Bend  forward  at  the  waist  and  push  the  fists 
through  between  the  legs;  rise  to  the  erect 
position  with  arms  overhead;  bend  forward  and 
swing  the  arms  downward  outside  the  right  leg; 
upward  overhead  again;  downward  outside  the 
left  leg;  and  recover  starting  position — 6  counts. 

74.  Swing  the  arms  upward  and  rise  on  the  toes;  re- 
cover; swing  the  arms  upward  and  bend  the 
knees;  recover — 4  counts. 

Unless  otherwise  indicated  the  following  exercises  start 
from  the  position  of  attention: 

75.  Raise  the  arms  forward  and  swing  the  right  leg 
forward  so  that  the  right  toe  is  touching  about 
20  inches  to  the  front,  weight  on  the  left  foot; 
move  the  arms  sideward  and  throw  the  weight 
forward  onto  the  right  foot,  stretching  up  and 
out  to  the  front;  recover  in  reverse  order — 4 
counts. 

76.  Same  with  left  foot  forward. 

77.  Lunge  forward  with  the  right  foot  and  extend 
both  arms  overhead;  bend  forward  at  the  waist, 
arms  in  prolongation  of  the  trunk ;  raise  the  trunk 
to  the  erect  position;  recover  the  position  of 
attention — 4  coruits. 

78.  Starting  from  side  straddle  position,  arms  ex- 
tended forward,  hands  clasped,  swing  the  arms 
forcibly  to  right  and  left  (keep  the  knees  straight 
and  the  feet  fiat  on  the  ground) — 2  counts. 


CALISTHENICS 


57 


79.  Starting  from  position  with  fingers  laced  on  top 
of  head,  extend  the  arms  upward,  rise  on  the 
toes  and  stretch 
entire  body;  re- 
cover—  2  counts. 

80.  Starting  from  the 

forward  stride 
position,  left  foot 
in  front,  arms  at 
the  thrust,  thrust 
out  forcibly  with 
the  right  and  left 
fists  alternately 
(put  the  weight 
of  the  body  into 
each  blow;  reach 
out  for  an  imagi- 
nary opponent) 
— 4  counts. 

V.     EXERCISES     FROM     THE 

PRONE    AND    SITTING 

POSITIONS 

Being  in  the  supine  posi- 
tion on  the  back,  with 
hands  under  the  buttocks,  palms  down : 

I.  Raise  legs  to  vertical  position;  knees  straight;  toes 
depressed;  and  recover — 2  counts.    (Fig.  14.) 


Fig.  14.— raise  THE  LEGS  TO  A 
VERTICAL  POSITION,  RAISE.  An 
e.xercise  from  the  prone  position. 


58      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OP  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

2.  Raise  legs  to  45  degrees  position;  and  recover — 2 

counts. 

3.  Raise  legs  to  vertical  position;  extend  legs  and  hips 

upward,  shoulders  only  touching;  lower  hips  to 
ground,  legs  remaining  vertical;  lower  legs  to 
the  ground — 4  counts. 

4.  Raise  legs  alternately — 4  counts. 

5.  Draw  up  knees;  and  extend — 2  counts. 

6.  Draw  up  knees  alternately — 4  counts. 

7.  Raise  legs  and  extend  them  over  the  head,  endeav- 

oring to  touch  the  ground  above  the  head  with 
the  toes;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

8.  Raise  and  lower  head — 2  counts. 

9.  Raise  hips  from  the  ground,   so  that  heels  and 

shoulders  only  are  touching;  and  recover — 2 
counts. 

10.  Draw  up  knees  and  then  raise  body  so  that  head 
and  feet  only  are  touching;  and  recover — 4 
counts. 

1 1 .  Separate  legs ;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

Being  in  prone  position  with  hands  on  hips  (in  addition 
to    above    exercises) : 

12.  Raise  body  to  sitting  position  and  lower  it  to  the 
ground — 2  counts.  Caution:  Require  the  men 
to  keep  the  body  erect  in  the  sitting  position. 

13.  Raise  body  to  sitting  position  and  extend  the  arms 
forward,  finger  tips  on  toes;  and  recover — 2 
counts. 


CALISTHENICS  59 

14.  Rise  to  sitting  position  with  arms  extended  over 
head;  recover  prone  position  with  arms  still 
over  head  (parallel  to  ground) — 2  counts. 

Being  in  the  sitting  position,  hands  on  the  ground  at  the 
sides : 

15.  Draw  up  knees;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

16.  Separate  legs;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

17.  Draw  up  knees  alternately,  clasping  each,  hard 
against  the  chest,  with  the  arms — 2  counts. 

18.  Arms  forward;  sideward;  forward;  and  down — 2 
counts.  (The  chest  should  be  elevated  as  the 
arms  go  down  to  the  sides.) 

19.  All  arms  exercises,  such  as  thrusting  arms  for- 
ward, upward,  etc.,  etc. 

Being  in  the  prone  position  on  the  right  (left)  side,  right 
arm  extended  overhead,  left  hand  on  hip: 

20.  Raise  the  extended  left  leg;  and  recover — 2 
counts. 

21.  Swing  the  extended  left  leg  forward  and  back — 2 
counts. 

22.  Bend  left  knee  and  extend — 2  counts. 

23.  Raise  left  arm  sideward  overhead  until  back  of 
hands  touch;   and  recover — 2  counts. 

24.  Raise  left  arm  as  in  preceding  exercise  and  left 
leg  at  the  same  time — 2  counts. 

25.  Raise  left  arm  as  above  and  swing  left  leg  for- 
ward; and  recover — 2  counts. 


6o      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OP  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

26.  Swing  both  legs  forward;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

27.  Raise  trunk  laterally  upward,  right  hip  and  right 
hand  remaining  on  the  ground;  and  recover — 2 
counts. 

Being  in  the  prone  position,  face  downward,  arms  folded, 
face  resting  on  the  arms: 

28.  Raise  both  legs,  knees  straight;  and  recover — 2 
counts. 

29.  Raise  trunk,  hands  remaining  on  the  ground; 
and  recover — 2  counts. 

30.  Raise  trunk  and  arms  both  so  that  legs  and  hips 
only  are  touching;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

31.  Raise  legs  and  trunk  alternately,  hands  touch- 
ing— 4  counts. 

3  2 .  Raise  legs  and  trunk  together,  hands  touching — 2 
counts. 

33.  Raise  trunk  as  in  exercise  30,  and  extend  the 
arms  sideward — 2  counts. 

34.  Extend  arms  overhead  and  raise  trunk  and  arms 
and  recover — 2  counts. 

35.  Raise  head  and  arms,  chest  remaining  against  the 
ground — 2  counts. 

Note:  All  the  abdominal  stretching  exercises  enumer- 
ated above  are  very  strenuous  and  should  be  given  with 
great  discretion,  especially  those  from  the  prone  position, 
face  downward.  The  instructor  should  caution  the  men 
never  to  grunt  while  the  abdominal  wall  is  tensed  and 
stretched,  as  such  an  act  may  cause  a  rupture. 


CHAPTER  IV 

MARCHING  AND  MARCHING  EXERCISES 

The  acquisition  of  an  erect,  commanding  carriage 
while  walking  is  as  desirable  as  the  acquisition  of  one 
while  standing.  Such  a  graceful,  well-poised  carriage  is 
only  obtained  through  long  training  in  marching  and 
marching  exercises.  The  instructor  will  find  that  the  men 
who  are  trying  hardest  to  follow  his  directions  will  at  first 
appear  awkward  and  in  a  very  constrained  position. 
This  results  from  lack  of  coordination  and  muscle  control. 
It  is  difficult  for  the  untrained  man  to  use  any  one  muscle 
or  set  of  muscles  without  at  the  same  time  using  niimerous 
allied  muscles.  The  recruit  always  tries  to  pull  his  shoul- 
ders back  with  his  biceps  and  forearm  muscles.  Likewise 
he  swings  his  arms  like  pokers  because  he  is  trying  to  keep 
his  back  straight. 

This  lack  of  coordination  should  at  the  start  cause 
the  instructor  little  concern,  however,  for  it  will  eventually 
be  straightened  out  in  practically  all  cases.  The  in- 
structor must  of  course  insist,  and  continue  to  insist, 
on  a  free  arm  swing  and  try  and  correct  men  individually 
who  are  especially  stiff,  but  these  features,  at  the  start, 
are  subordinate  to  other  features  of  the  carriage.  The 
position  of  the  trunk  as  described  in  the  position  of  at- 
tention should  be  maintained  while  walking,   the  head 

6i 


62      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

up,  chest  raised,  and  a  very  marked  upward  stretch  around 
the  waist.  The  shoulders  should  be  carried  loosely  and 
the  arms  allowed  to  swing  naturally,  the  hands  being  car- 
ried loosely  closed.  In  the  arm  swing,  the  elbow  joint 
should  not  be  held  rigid  but  the  arm  should  be  bent 
slightly  as  it  swings  to  the  front.  The  swing  should  be 
across  the  body  as  the  arm  swings  to  the  front  and  should 
never  be  a  straight  front  and  rear  poker-like  movement. 

The  feet  should  not  be  turned  out  in  walking,  but 
should  be  planted  pointing  squarely  to  the  front.  The 
walk  should  be  a  heel  and  toe  walk,  that  is,  the  heel 
striking  the  ground  first,  followed  by  the  ball  of  the  foot. 
As  the  leg  completes  the  forward  swing  and  just  before 
the  heel  strikes  the  ground,  the  knee  should  be  straightened 
out  with  a  slight  whipping  motion. 

For  the  marching  exercises  the  squad  is  marched  around 
the  sides  of  a  large  square,  the  instructor  remaining  in 
the  center.  The  squad  is  formed  in  column  of  squads 
or  twos,  depending  upon  the  number  of  men  in  the  de- 
tachment. The  leader  or  leading  rank  makes  the  turns  at 
the  comers  without  command  from  the  instructor,  and 
must  be  so  directed  beforehand. 

The  length  of  the  step  while  marching  is  thirty  inches, 
measured  from  heel  to  heel,  and  the  cadence  is  120  steps 
per  minute.  If  any  deviation  from  this  cadence  is  per- 
mitted it  should  be  to  increase  the  cadence  rather  than 
lessen  it.    It  should  never  go  above  130  a  minute,  however. 

The  instructor,  when  necessary,  indicates  the  cadence 


MARCHING  AND  MARCHING  EXERCISES  63 

by  counting  ONE,  TWO,  THREE,  FOUR,  at  the  exact 
instants  that  the  feet  should  be  planted,  ONE  and  THREE 
always  coming  on  the  left  foot  and  TWO  and  FOUR  on  the 
right.  Or  the  instructor  may  indicate  the  cadence  by 
calHng  LEFT,  RIGHT,  or  merely  LEFT,  LEFT,  as  the 
foot  indicated  should  strike  the  ground. 

Caution :  In  marching,  the  instructor  must  not  allow  the 
leaders  to  take  a  step  which  is  too  long  for  those  in  rear. 
As  stated  above,  at  first  the  men  will  carry  the  shoulders 
stiffly  in  an  effort  to  keep  the  chest  raised;  the  instructor 
should  caution  the  entire  squad  to  loosen  up  the  shoulders, 
allow  the  arms  to  swing  naturally,  and  make  the  chest 
muscles,  alone,  keep  the  chest  in  its  proper  position. 
Insist  on  a  snappy  movement  of  the  legs  and  correct, 
individually,  any  man  who  has  a  bent-knee  walk ;  that  is, 
one  in  which  the  knee  remains  bent  throughout  the  swing 
and  does  not  straighten  out,  as  it  should,  when  it  reaches 
the  for^vard  limit  of  its  swing.  Instructors  will  find  that 
constant  general  and  individual  corrections  will  be  neces- 
sary. These  corrections  must  be  made  in  such  a  way  as 
not  to  discourage  the  man  concerned;  therefore,  when  a 
backward  one  does  do  something  correctly  he  should 
be  told  of  it. 

Instructors  will  find  that  there  will  be  an  almost  con- 
stant tendency  to  drag  the  step  and  keep  it  down  below 
120  steps  per  minute.  This  can  be  remedied  by  putting  a 
bright,  alert  man,  who  has  a  good  sense  of  rhythm,  in 
front,  and  by  counting  the  step  in  a  short,  clear-cut, 


64      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

snappy,  manner.  Instructors  should  practice  walking 
and  timing  themselves,  remembering  that  120  steps  per 
minute  means  ten  steps  every  five  seconds. 

In  executing  the  halt,  the  opportunity  should  be  grasped 
to  make  it  also  a  postural  exercise.  At  the  instant  that 
the  movement  is  completed  by  placing  one  foot  by  the 
side  of  the  other,  the  position  of  ATTENTION  should 
be  assumed  with  a  snap,  heels  together  with  a  click, 
chest  raised,  head  up  and  arms  motionless. 

The  squad  should  be  practiced  in  moving  off  at  the 
command  Forward,  MARCH,  and  halting  at  the  command 
Squad,  HALT,  as  a  part  of  the  preliminary  disciplinary 
exercises  of  every  physical  drill.  If  available,  the  instruc- 
tion in  walking  should  be  given  on  a  road,  as  that  usually 
offers  a  more  perfect  surface  to  march  upon,  than  does 
the  drill  ground. 

The  squad  should  be  kept  alert  while  marching  b}^ 
being  marched  to  the  rear,  to  the  flank,  and  being  halted  at 
frequent  intervals.  In  marching  to  the  rear  there  is  always 
a  tendency  to  take  too  long  a  step  just  before  turning 
about.  This  results  in  what  may  be  called  a  sagging  exe- 
cution of  the  movement  and  should  be  promptly  corrected. 

The  instructor  will  find  it  rather  difficult  to  give  the 
marching  exercises  at  first,  but  will  soon  acquire  the  knack 
if  he  perseveres.  The  first  marching  exercises  should 
be  given  only  after  the  men  have  acquired  a  fair  idea  of 
cadence  and  then  only  to  small  groups  of  about  the  size 
of  a  platoon. 


MARCHING  AND  MARCHING  EXERCISES  65 

A  majority  of  the  marching  exercises  are  executed 
in  the  cadence  of  quick  time,  some  are  faster,  some  slower, 
and  some  are  done  in  broken  time;  that  is,  some  motions 
requiring  a  longer  time  than  others. 

Every  time  that  the  erect  position  is  assumed,  if  the 
exercise  involves  a  bending  movem-ent,  the  instructor 
must  insist  on  the  heads  being  up  and  the  chest  raised. 
This  may  be  done  by  interpolating  the  caution  Heads, 
UP  in  counting  the  movement  instead  of  the  usual  counts. 
For  example,  an  exercise  in  two  counts  might  be  counted 
ONE ;  TWO ;  ONE ;  TWO ;  Heads ;  UP ;  ONE ;  TWO ;  ONE 
TWO;  NOW;  STRETCH;  ONE;  TWO;   ONE;    TWO 

UP;  HARD;  ONE;  TWO;  etc.  The  interpolation  must 
of  course  fit  the  movement  desired,  should  be  short, 
and  must  be  given  in  cadence. 

As  a  rule  the  arms  should  not  be  left  free  while  some 
other  part  of  the  body  is  being  exercised;  one  of  the  po- 
sitions of  hands  on  hips,  hands  on  shoulders,  arms  to  the 
thrust,  fingers  laced  in  rear  of  head,  etc.,  should  first  be 
assumed  and  then  the  desired  exercise  executed.  For 
instance:  one  of  the  simplest  marching  exercises  would 
be  executed  as  follows: 

Forward,  MARCH, 
Hands  on  hips,  PLACE, 
Rise  on  toes,  EXERCISE. 

To  cease  an  exercise  the  command  i.  Quick  time, 
2.     MARCH,  is  given  when  the  instructor  feels  that  the 


66      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

exercise  has  been  done  long  enough.  At  the  command 
MARCH,  the  arms  are  dropped  to  the  sides,  if  not  in  that 
position,  the  exercise  is  ceased,  and  the  squad  takes  up 
the  ordinary  step  and  cadence  of  quick  time. 

Another  simple  exercise  is  one  in  which  the  knee  is 
raised  to  the  front  until  the  thigh  is  horizontal,  the  lower 
leg  being  vertical  and  the  toes  forced  down  as  the  thigh 
reaches  its  horizontal  position.  In  executing  this  exercise 
care  must  be  taken  that  the  body  is  held  erect  and  is 
not  allowed  to  bend  fonvard  as  the  knee  is  raised.  The 
commands  for  this  exercise  would  be  given  as  follows : 

Forward,   MARCH, 

Hands    on   hips,    PLACE, 

Raise  knees,  EXERCISE, 

Quick  time,   MARCH. 
When  the  marching  exercises  are  first  used  they  must 
be  explained  in  detail,  and  illustrated  when  necessary. 

In  giving  the  commands  care  must  be  taken  that  the 
command  of  execution  is  given  as  the  left  foot  strikes 
the  ground.  Thus  in  the  above  exercise  the  commands 
PLACE,  EXERCISE  and  MARCH  must  be  given  as  the 
left  foot  strikes  the  ground.  The  command  of  execution 
being  thus  properly  given,  the  movement  desired  is  exe- 
cuted by  the  men  at  the  instant  that  the  left  foot  strikes 
the  ground  the  following  time.  Thus  in  an  exercise  the 
counts  one,  two,  etc.,  for  the  exercise  serve  equally  well 
as  counts  for  the  step. 

All  of  the  arm  exercises,  many  of  the  ti*unk  exercises 


MARCHING  AND  MARCHING  EXERCISES  67 

and  several  of  the  leg  exercises  may  be  done  while  marching. 
The  arm  exercises  may  be  executed  by  detail  while  march- 
ing just  as  while  standing  still;  care  being  taken  to  give 
the  commands  of  execution  as  the  left  foot  strikes  the 
ground. 

Various  methods  of  \valking  may  be  used  as  exercises, 
such  as  the  following: 

Being  at  a  halt  with  hands  on  hips,  the  full  knee  bend 
position  is  assumed  at  the  command,  i.  Full  bend  knees, 
2.  BEND.  The  squad  is  then  moved  forward  by  the 
commands,  i.  In  this  position,  2.  Forward,  3.  MARCH. 
The  ordinary  erect  walk  is  taken  up  at  the  command,  i. 
Quick  time,  2.  MARCH.  In  this  exercise  the  men  should 
endeavor  to  move  forward,  keeping  the  body  perfectly 
erect  and  maintaining  the  buttocks  as  close  to  the  ground 
as  they  were  in  the  full  knee  bend  position. 

Being  at  a  halt,  at  the  command,  i.  To  the  squatting' 
position,  2.  BEND,  a  position  is  assumed  which  is  very 
similar  to  the  full  knee  bend  position  except  that  the 
body  is  inclined  slightly  fonvard  and  part  of  the  weight 
is  supported  on  the  hands,  which  are  placed  on  the  ground, 
in  front  of  the  feet.  The  walk  desired  is  explained  to  the 
squad  as  follows:  "Move  forward  on  all  fours;  the  left 
foot  and  left  hand  move  together  and  the  right  foot  and 
right  hand  move  together,  I.  Forward,  2.  MARCH. 

A  similar  walk  may  be  executed  in  which  the  hands 
are  moved  out  to  the  front  together  and  the  feet  are 
drawn  up  together,  making  a  hopping  style  of  movement. 


68      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

A  few  of  the  exercises  may  be  executed  while  at  double 
time,  such  as  raising  knees  or  heels  and  swinging  the 
extended  leg  forward  ankle  high. 

While  at  double  time  the  squad  may  be  required  to 
turn  and  run  sideways,  the  legs  crossing  over  each  other. 
For  example :  the  command  may  be,  "Turn  the  body  to  the 
left  and  run  sideways,  the  left  leg  crossing  in  front  of  the 
right,  I.  Left,  2.  TURN."  The  exercise  may  be  made 
more  difficult  by  turning  to  the  left  and  crossing  the 
left  leg  in  rear  of  the  right. 

The  following  exercises  are  suggested  in  addition  to 
those  mentioned : 

1.  Swing    the    extended    leg    forward,    ankle    high, 

(hands  on  hips) — 2  counts.    Same  knee  high  and 
waist  high  (Fig.   15).    Excellent  to   correct  the 
bent-knee  walk. 

2.  Swing  extended  leg  backward  (hands  on  hips) — 

2   counts. 

3.  Raise  the  heels  backward. 

4.  Raise  knee  and  straighten  leg  out  to  the  front — 2 

counts. 

5.  Arms    forward;    upward;    forward;    and    down — 

4  counts. 

6.  From  hands  on  shoulders:    bring  elbows  together, 

in  front;  and  force  them  back — 2  counts. 

7.  From  position  of  arms  to  the  thrust:    thrust  arms 

forward;    upward;    sideward;    or    downward — 2 
counts. 


MARCHING  AND  MARCHING  EXERCISES 


69 


From  position  of  thrust:  thrust  arms  forward; 
swing  arms  downward;  forward  again;  and  back 
to  the  thrust — 4  counts. 


•■^^jf 


Fig.  15.— swing  THE  EXTENDED  LEG  FORWARD.  WAIST  HIGH, 
EXERCISE.  A  marching  exercise.  Note  that  toe  is  depressed,  knee  straight, 
body  erect  and  the  chin  raised. 

9.  From  position  of  thrust:  thrust  right  arm  up; 
left  arm  down;  back  to  thrust;  thrust  right 
arm  down  and  left  up;  back  to  thrust — 4  counts. 


70      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

10.  From  position  with  hands  on  hips :  bend  forward 
and  touch  the  ground  with  both  hands;  recover 
erect  position  with  hands  on  hips;  extend  both 
arms  upward;  recover  position  with  hands  on 
hips — 4  counts.  (This  exercise  has  a  broken 
cadence,  the  bending  movement  requiring  more 
time  than  any  of  the  others.  A  bending  exer- 
cise, such  as  the  first  two  counts  only,  of  the 
above  exercise  should  not  be  given  alone.  The 
extension  of  the  arms  upward  accomplishes 
the  very  necessary  function  of  straightening 
up  the  body.) 

11.  From  thrust  position:  move  shoulders  forward; 
and  back — 2  counts. 

12.  From  thrust  position:    move  shoulders  forward; 

up;  back;  and  down — 4  counts. 

13.  From  position  with  hands  on  hips:  bend  head 
forward ;  or  backward — 2.  counts. 

14.  Raise  forearms  to  the  vertical;  extend  them  over- 
head; back  to  vertical  position;  and  arms  down 
— 4  counts. 

15.  For  further  similar  exercises  see  the  chapter 
on  calisthenics. 


CHAPTER  V 

JUMPING  EXERCISES 

Army  officers  have  always  found  that  one  of  the  most 
difficult  problems  in  the  instruction  of  soldiers  is  teaching 
agility,  coordination  and  poise,  all  of  which  are  so  neces- 
sary in  bayonet  combat,  hand-to-hand  fighting,  bombing, 
and  trench  warfare  generally.  The  jumping  exercises 
are  strenuous  physical  exercises  and  at  the  same  time 
develop  the  above  requisites. 

For  the  jumping  exercises  the  squad  is  first  extended 
as  for  calisthenics.  Practically  all  the  jumping  exercises 
start  from  what  is  known  as  the  "ready"  position.  At 
the  command  READY,  all  men  in  the  squad  raise  the 
arms  to  the  forward  position  and  come  up  on  the  toes. 
This  position  must  be  assumed  with  spring  and  the  effort 
should  be  to  rise  up  as  nearly  as  possible  on  the  very  tips 
of  the  toes.  (Fig.  i6.)  The  body  should  be  stretched  to 
the  limit  throughout  its  entire  length,  the  chest  lifted, 
the  head  up  and  the  back  slightly  arched.  If  properly 
taken  the  position  is  difficult  to  maintain  and  the  squad 
should,  therefore,  not  be  required  to  maintain  it  for  long 
intervals. 

The  ready  position  should  be  taught  to  the  squad 
before  any  leaps  are  attempted.  In  working  with  a  squad 
which  has  never  done  any  jumping  exercises  the  funda- 

71 


72      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OP  PHYSICAL  DRILL 


mental  leap  should  first  be  worked  out  in  detail.  Later  a 
short  designation  of  the  kind  of  leap  desired  will  be  suf- 
ficient; for  all  the  exer- 
cises are  merely  adapta- 
tions of  the  fundamental 
leap.  As  a  rule,  the 
leap  to  be  executed 
should  be  designated 
before  the  ready  posi- 
tion is  taken,  and  the 
command  LEAP  given 
shortly  after  the  ready 
position  has  been 
assumed. 

The  fundamental 
leap  is  explained  by  de- 
tail as  follows:  Being 
in  the  ready  position, 
at  the  command  LEAP 
the  arms  are  allowed 
to  swing  downward  and 
to  the  rear  slightly,  the 
knees  are  bent  and  the 

Fia.i6.-THE  POSITION  OF  READY.        ^^^^.      -^      .^^^-^^^     f^^. 

ward  (Fig.  17).  At  the  command  TWO  the  knees  are 
forcibly  extended  and  the  body  thrown  straight  up  to  a 
position  in  the  air,  very  similar  to  the  ready  posi- 
tion described  above,  i.e.,  the  arms  coming  up  to  the 


JUMPING  EXERCISES  73 

forward  position,  head  up,  chest  raised,  back  well  arched, 
legs  straight  and  toes  depressed  (Fig.  i8).     At  the  start 


Pig.  17. 

Fig.   17. — The  first  motion  of  all  the  jumps. 

Fig.   18. — The   simple   leap   perfectly   executed.      Note   that   the   back   is 
arched,  chest  raised,  head  up,  knees  straight,  and  the  toes  depressed. 

the  leap  is  merely  straight  up  in  the  air  so  that  on  drop- 
ping to  the  ground  the  feet  will  be  in  their  original  position. 


74      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

As  the  legs  are  extended  to  throw  the  body  upward  the 
arms  are  swung  up  to  the  forward  position  thus  helping 
to  lift  the  body.  An  effort  should  be  made  to  mark  the 
position  in  the  air  with  the  body  extended  throughout 
its  length,  toes  depressed,  back  arched,  chest  lifted,  arms 
extended  forward,  head  up.  In  dropping  to  the  ground 
attempt  should  be  made  to  alight  just  as  softly  as  possible, 
the  shock  being  taken  up  gradually  throughout  the  body. 
The  instant  the  toes  strike,  the  legs  are  bent  and  any 
tendency  to  come  down  stiff -legged  avoided  (Fig.  19). 

In  the  first  leaps  the  men  should  be  required  to  hold 
the  alighting  position,  the  arms  remaining  in  the  forward 
position  and  the  legs  being  three-quarters  bent.  At  the 
command  FOUR,  the  legs  are  extended,  the  arms  dropped 
smartly  and  the  position  of  attention  is  assumed  (Fig.  20). 

Having  practiced  the  leap  by  detail  it  may  now  be 
done  as  a  whole,  the  squad  being  first  brought  to  the 
ready  and  the  leap  executed  by  the  command,  i.  In 
Place,  2.  LEAP.  At  first  the  men  will  be  very  awkward 
and  appear  to  be  anchored  to  the  ground,  but  they  will 
soon  be  leaping  several  feet  into  the  air  and  coming  down 
with  poise  and  grace. 

The  leap  in  place  may  be  varied  by  requiring  different 
positions  of  the  arms  and  legs  to  be  assumed  in  the  leap; 
the  starting  and  alighting  positions  remaining  the  same. 
The  following  are  examples: 

1.  Leap  and  raise  arms  overhead. 

2.  Leap  and  raise  arms  sideward. 


JUMPING  EXERCISES  75 

Leap  and  raise  right  arm  overhead,  left  forward. 
Leap  and  raise  left  arm  overhead,  right  forward. 


Fig. 


19. — The  alighting  position  from 
all  the  jumps. 


Fig.   20. — The  finish  of  every 
jump. 


5.  Leap  and  raise  right  arm  overhead,  left  sideward, 

6.  Leap  and  raivse  left  arm  overhead,  right  sideward. 

7.  Leap  and  sej^arate  legs  sideward,  arms  forward 


76      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

8.  Leap  and  stride  legs  forward   and   back,    arms 
forward. 

9.  Leap  and  stride  legs  forward  and  back,   arms 
overhead. 

10.  Combinations  of  leg  and  arm  movements  given 
above. 

11.  Leap   and   alight    faced  to   the   right,    left,    or 

about. 

12.  Leap  and  raise  knees  forward;  extending  them 
again  before  the  toes  strike  the  gromid;  then 
aUght  without  shock. 

The  leap  as  above  executed  may  be  corr.bined  with  a 
forward  or  backward  movement,  the  body  alighting  one, 
two,  three,  four  or  five  feet  in  front  or  in  rear  of  the  starting 
position;  as:  i.  One  foot  backward,  2.  READY,  3. 
LEAP. 

The  leap  may  be  readily  combined  with  the  simpler 
movements  of  tumbling  as:  leap  forward  two  feet  and 
immediately  on  alighting  execute  a  somersault  to  the 
front  (forward  roll).  As  the  men  become  more  proficient 
the  somersault  may  be  turned  into  a  roll,  the  body  being 
rolled  up,  arms  clasping  the  knees,  and  the  somersault 
made  without  touching  the  head  or  the  hands  to  the 
ground. 

The  following  may  be  used  separately  or  combined 
with  any  of  the  above  leaps: 

1.  Leap  and  somersault  to  the  front. 

2.  Leap  and  roll  up  to  the  front. 


JUMPING  EXERCISES  77 

3.  Leap  and  execute  a  backward  somersault  to  the 

rear. 

4.  Leap  and  roll  backward. 

5.  Leap  and  half  roll  forward,  then  roll  up  backward. 

6.  Leap  and  roll  twice  to  the  front. 

7.  Leap  and  roll  twice  backward. 

Hopping  on  the  toes  in  the  cadence  of  quick  time 
from  the  position  of  hands  on  hips  may  also  be  used  to 
advantage.  The  men  should  be  required  to  keep  step  and 
hop  just  as  lightly  as  possible.  Turns  to  the  right,  left, 
etc.,  may  be  introduced,  without  stopping  the  hopping, 
by  means  of  the  commands:  i.  Right,  2.  TURN;  i.  Left, 
2.  TURN;  I.  Right  about,  2.  TURN.  At  the  second 
command  in  each  case  the  men  turn  to  the  right,  left,  or 
about  in  one  movement  and  continue  the  hopping.  To 
secure  a  complete  turn  of  360  degrees  to  the  right  about, 
the  command  is  i.  Whole  turn  to  the  right  about,  one, 
two,  three,  2.  TURN.  At  the  command  TURN,  the  men 
leap  as  high  as  they  can  and  endeavor  to  make  a  turn  of 
360  degrees  in  the  air  before  again  alighting  on  the  ground. 
Upon  alighting  the  hopping  is  resumed.  The  one,  two, 
three,  is  introduced  to  more  fully  prepare  the  men  for  the 
command  of  execution.  A  turn  of  540  degrees  or  once  and 
a  half  around  may  be  attempted  by  the  command  i. 
Right  about  one  and  a  half  turns,  one,  two,  three,  2. 
TURN. 

In  using  the  hopping  exercises  the  most  important 
thing  is  keeping  the   cadence.     The  instructor  shotild 


78      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

count  the  cadence,  one,  two,  one,  two,  etc.,  when  oppor- 
tunity offers  and  should  not  continue  the  hopping  too 
long  at  one  time.  The  turns  should  not  be  attempted 
until  the  simple  hopping  exercise  has  been  used  several 
times  and  the  men  are  able  to  keep  in  step.  The  hopping 
may  be  done  from  the  position  of  hands  on  hips,  hands 
on  shoulders  or  with  the  arms  raised  to  the  thrust.  To 
stop  the  hopping  the  conraiand  I.  Squad,  2.  HALT,  is 
given. 


CHAPTER  VI 

RIFLE  EXERCISES 

In  order  to  vary  the  physical  drill  somewhat  rifle  exer- 
cises may  be  substituted  for  the  calisthenic  drill. 

The  same  principles  which  govern  calisthenics  should 
govern  the  rifle  exercises.  The  aim  should  be  to  make 
the  drill  really  a  calisthenic  drill  in  which  the  weight  of 
the  rifle  is  introduced.  Sets  of  exercises  which  are  mem- 
orized are  of  little  value — in  fact,  are  a  positive  detriment; 
for  when  once  memorized,  such  exercises  allow  the  soldier 
to  take  his  mind  off  his  work,  and  because  of  their  monot- 
onous sameness  soon  engender  a  strong  dislike  in  all 
concerned.  Such  exercises  should  therefore  be  avoided. 
Some  of  the  exercises  should  be  large  free  movements, 
but  the  greater  portion  should  be  short,  sharp,  vigorous 
movements  requiring  both  physical  stamina  and  mental 
attention. 

The  rifle  exercises  are  excellent  and  of  great  value  but 
can  be  very  easily  overdone.  The  instructor  must  remem- 
ber that  the  arms  are  used  practically  all  the  time  and 
that  the  weight  of  the  rifle  is  very  fatiguing.  If  the  men 
become  so  fatigued  that  part  of  them  do  the  exercises  in 
a  careless  manner,  then  positive  harm  is  being  done;  for 
they  are  learning  to  do  things  other  than  as  well  as  they 
know  how.     The  instructor  should  give  frequent  rests 

79 


8o      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

and    be     caneful    to    so  arrange  his    exercises  that  the 
arms  will  be  rested  once  in  a  while.    This  mav  be  accom- 


FiG.  21.— POSITION,  ARMS. 


plished  by  giving  trunk  exercises  with  the  rifle  at  the 
shoulder  horizontal  behind  the  head  and  resting  on  the 
shoulders,  etc. 


RIFLE  EXERCISES  81 

Being  at  the  order  arms,  extended  as  for  calisthenics, 
the  men  are  brought  to  the  first  position  by  the  command, 


Fig.  22.— shoulder  HORIZONTAL,  RAISE. 

I.  Position,  2.  ARMS.     The  movement  is  executed  in 
two.  counts. 
At  the  command  ARMS,  the  rifle  is  brought  to  port 


82      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

arms  as  in  the  manual  of  arms.     (TWO)  Let  go  with  the 
left  hand,  allow  the  muzzle  of  the  piece  to  drop ;  regrasp 


Pig.  23.— right  SIDE  HORIZONTAL.  RAISE. 

the  piece  with  the  left  hand  just  above  the  lower  band; 
both  arms  extended  without  stiffness,  the  piece  horizontal 
and  resting  against  the  thighs,  barrel  up  (Fig.  21). 


RIFLE  EXERCISES 


83 


Being  at  position  arms,  to  resume  the  order,  the  com- 
mand is,  I.  Order,  2.  ARMS.  The  movement  is  executed 
in  three  counts.  Let  go  with 
the  left  hand  and  take  the 
position  of  port  arms;  then 
to  the  order  in  two  counts 
as  in  the  manual  of  arms. 

The  rifle  is  raised  to  a  hori- 
zontal position  in  front  of 
the  shoulders,  barrel  down 
and  touching  the  chest  lightly, 
at  the  command  i.  Shoulder 
horizontal,  2.  RAISE.  (Fig. 
22). 

Wherever  possible  the  com- 
mands used  in  the  calisthenic 
exercises  are  used  in  the  rifle 
exercises;  as  for  instance:  i. 
Arms  forward,  2.  EXTEND; 
I.  Arms  overhead,  2.  RAISE; 
I.  Arms,  2.  DOWN;  etc. 

Being  in  the  overhead  posi- 
tion, the  rifle  is  lowered  to 
the  shoulders  behind  the  head 
by  the  command  i.  Shoulder 
horizontal  behind  the  head,  2.  LOWER. 

The  position  of  the  rifle  when  held  horizontal  at  the 
height  of  the  shoulder  and  extended  out  to  the  side  until 


Fig. 


24.— RIGHT  LOW-  PERPEN- 
DICULAR, RAISE. 


84      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 


the  arm  on  that  side  is  extended  its  full  length,  is  known 
as  the  right  (left)  side  horizontal  (Fig.  23). 

The  position  of  the  rifle  when 
held  vertical  at  the  right  side, 
barrel  to  the  rear,  hands  grasping 
the  piece  as  in  the  starting  posi- 
tion, the  left  hand  in  front  of 
and  against  the  right  shoulder,  is 
known  as  the  right  low  perpen- 
dicular.    (Fig.  24.) 

The  position  of  the  rifle  when 
held  vertical,  at  the  left  side, 
barrel  to  the  rear,  hands  grasping 
the  piece  as  in  the  starting  posi- 
tion, the  left  arm  extended  up- 
ward its  full  length,  the  right 
arm  in  front  of  the  left  arm  pit, 
is  known  as  the  left  high  per- 
pendicular (Fig.  25). 

The  rifle  exercises  are  con- 
ducted just  as  the  calisthenic 
exercises  are  conducted.  First 
the  exercise  is  executed  by  de- 
tail, one  movement  at  a  time  and 
then  in  cadence  by  the  com- 
mand, I.  Ready,  2.  EXERCISE.  The  movements  are 
counted  just  as  in  the  calisthenics,  the  manner  of  counting 
indicating  the  manner  in  which  the  exercise  is  to  be  done. 


Fig.  25.— left  HIGH   PER 
PENDICULAR,  RAISE. 


RIFLE  EXERCISES  85 

Suggestions  for  Exercises 
arm  exercises 

1.  From    position    arms;    to    shoulder    horizontal;    and 

recover — 2  counts. 

2.  From   position   arms;   to   arms   forward   position — 2 

counts. 

3.  From   position   arms;   to   arms   overhead   position — • 

2  counts. 

4.  From  position  arms;  to  side  horizontal  (right  or  left) 

— 2  counts. 
Note:    The  above  exercises  may  be  executed  in  either 
of  tv/o  ways:    first,  by  moving  directly  from  one  position 
to  the  other;  and  second  by  swinging  out  to  the  front  or 
side  as  far  as  possible. 

5.  From  shoulder  horizontal:    extend  arms  forw^ard — 2 

counts. 

6.  From  shoulder  horizontal:    extend  arms  upward — 2 

counts. 
7    From    shoulder   horizontal:     to    shoulder   horizontal 
behind  head — 2  counts. 

8.  From  shoulder  horizontal:    extend  to  side  horizontal 

(right  or  left) — 2  counts. 

9.  From  position  anns:   to  shoulder  horizontal;  to  over- 

head;   to    shoulder   horizontal;    back   to    position 
arms — 4  counts. 
10.  From  position  arms:   to  shoulder  horizontal;  to  arms 


86      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OP  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

forward;  to  shoulder  horizontal;  and  back  to  posi- 
tion arms — 4  counts. 

11.  From  position  arms:  to  right  and  left  side  horizontal, 

alternating — -4  counts. 

12.  Same  to  right  and  left  low  perpendicular — 4  counts. 

13.  Same  to  right  and  left  high  perpendicular — 4  counts. 

14.  From  shoulder  horizontal:    to  overhead;  to  shoulder 

horizontal,  behind  head;  to  overhead;  and  back  to 
starting  position — -4  counts. 

15.  From    shoulder    horizontal:     to    forward    horizontal; 

keeping  arms  extended,  rotate  piece  and  cross  arms ; 
recover  arms  forward  position;  back  to  shoulder 
horizontal — -4  counts. 

16.  From  position  arms:    to  left  low  perpendicular  with 

right  hand  up;  to  left  high  perpendicular  with  left 
hand  up;  and  return  in  reverse  order — 4  counts. 

ARM,    LEG    AND    TRUNK    COMBINATIONS 

I.  Keeping  rifle  at  position  arms,  shoulder  horizontal  or 
shoulder  horizontal  behind  head,  all  trunk  and  leg 
exercises  may  be  executed,  such  as : 

Bend  trunk  to  right;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

Bend  trunk  to  right;  and  left  alternating — 2  counts. 

Bend  trunk  forward;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

To  full  knee  bend  position;  and  recover — 2  counts. 

Raise  knees  alternately — 4  counts. 

Raise  legs,  knees  straight,  alternately — 4  counts. 

Rise  on  toes;  and  recover — 2  counts. 


RIFLE  EXERCISES 


87 


Rise  on  toes;  and  extend  rifle  upward;  recover — 2 
counts. 


.j?rAj'"^' 


Fig.  26.— lunge  TO  THE  RIGHT  AND  RAISE  THE  RIFLE  TO  THE 
RIGHT  HORIZONTAL,  LOOK  TO  THE  RIGHT.  LUNGE.    A  combination 


2.  From  ■  position  arms:  bend  trunk  forward  at  waist, 
lowering  rifle  to  the  ground;  and  recover — 2  counts. 


38      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

3.  Same  from  shoulder  horizontal — 2  counts. 

4.  From  position  arms:   twist  trunk  to  the  right,  raising 

rifle  to  shoulder  horizontal;  recover;  and  same  to 
the  left  side — 4  counts. 

5.  From  overhead  horizontal :  bend  to  full  knee  bending 

position  and  extend  the  arms  forward;  recover 
starting  position — 2  counts. 

6.  From  overhead  horizontal:    bend  trunk  forward  and 

without  bending  the  arms  swing  the  rifle  downward 
to  the  ground;  recover — 2  counts. 

7.  From  the  side  straddle  position,  rifle  overhead:   bend 

forward  and  swing  the  rifle  down  between  the  legs, 
right  hand  leading;  recover;  repeat  with  left  hand 
leading:  recover  starting  position — 4  counts. 

8.  From  position  arms:    lunge  to  the  right  and  thrust 

the  rifle  to  the  right  side  horizontal;  recover;  alter- 
nate right  and  left — 4  counts.     (Fig.  26.) 

9.  Same   thrusting  rifle   to   the   opposite   horizontal — 4 

counts. 

10.  Same  thrusting  rifle  forward — 4  counts. 

11.  Same  thrusting  rifle  upward — 4  counts. 

12.  Same    raising    rifle    to    same    side    perpendicular — 4 

counts. 

13.  Same  raising  rifle  to  opposite  side  perpendicular — 4 

counts. 

14.  From  shoulder  horizontal:    lunge  forward  with  right 

foot  and  bending  forward  lower  rifle  to  the  ground ; 
recover;  alternate  right  and  left — 4  counts. 


RIFLE  EXERCISES  89 

15.  From  shoulder  horizontal:  bend  backward  and  thrust 
the  rifle  upward;  recover — 2  counts. 
Note:  Just  as  in  the  calisthenic  exercises,  the  exact 
nomenclature  of  each  exercise  is  unimportant.  Describe 
the  position  you  want  and  get  it;  do  not  hesitate  while 
trying  to  remember  the  words  of  the  book. 


CHAPTER  VII 

GIVING  COMMANDS 

The  subject  of  giving  commands  is  one  of  the  most 
important  for  an  instructor  to  study  and  yet  one  of  the 
subjects  about  which  the  least  is  known. 

The  voice  is  the  medium  through  which  all  our  ideas 
are  conveyed  and  therefore  can  affect  very  markedly 
the  impression  that  our  ideas  make  on  others.  The  writei' 
knows  of  one  very  striking  example  of  an  officer  who 
suffered  greatly  from  this  fact.  The  officer  in  question 
has  the  reputation  of  being  very  able  and  very  pleasing 
personally.  Nevertheless  whenever  he  attempts  to  drill 
or  instruct  an  organization  he  very  promptly  sets  every 
man  against  him  because  his  manner  of  speaking  has  a 
very  pronounced  snarl  in  it.  As  long  as  that  officer  keeps 
his  snarl,  the  best  ideas  in  the  world  will  avail  him  abso- 
lutely nothing. 

To  cultivate  a  good  voice  requires  practice  just  as 
does  anything  else.  The  following  methods  have  been 
found  to  be  very  efficacious.  In  the  first  place  the  voice 
must  be  strengthened  and  the  individual's  almost  uni- 
versal diffidence  removed.  Practice  in  groups  is,  therefore, 
excellent  at  the  start.  This  practice  may  consist  in  in- 
toning such  word  combinations  as  sing-song,  ding-dong, 
hong-kong,  and  in  actually  giving  commands.  In  this 
practice  each  individual  should  endeavor  to  find  his  own 

QO 


GIVING  COMMANDS  91 

tone ;  for  everyone  has  a  tone  which  may  be  said  to  be  the 
tone  for  his  voice.  This  tone  is  the  one  in  which  the  voice 
is  most  resonant,  cames  farthest  and  which  tires  the 
voice  least.  This  tone  is  rarely  the  same  in  two  persons 
and  changes  downward  as  the  voice  is  used  more  and  more. 
Once  having  found  this  tone  it  should  be  used  in  giving  all 
commands.  In  practicing,  the  effort  should  not  be  merely 
to  make  noise.  Tiie  tones  produced  should  be  clear,  reso- 
nant and  bell-like  and  should  be  sounded  softly  at  first 
and  then  allowed  to  swell  as  loudly  as  they  can  be  main- 
tained with  perfect  resonance. 

Commands  of  execution  must  be  short,  sharp  and  clear- 
cut,  and  should  be  made  by  the  sudden  expulsion  of  a 
very  small  amount  of  air.  This  may  be  practiced  as  fol- 
lows: Fill  the  lungs  about  three-fourths  full  and,  holding 
the  air  in  the  lungs,  open  the  mouth  and  relax  the  throat 
muscles.  Now  practice  saying  HUH  and  HA  just  as 
shortly  and  sharply  as  possible.  Do  not  change  any  of  the 
throat  muscles;  make  the  sounds  entirely  by  expelling 
short  puffs  of  air  from  the  lungs  by  the  use  of  the  dia- 
phragm and  muscles  around  the  waist. 

The  practice  intoning  will  strengthen  the  voice  and 
develop  the  basic  tones  of  preparatory  commands.  Prac- 
tice saying  HUH  and  HA  develops  ability  to  make  the 
fundamental  sounds  of  commands  of  execution. 

Appended  below  is  a  short  discussion  of  the  subject 
of  giving  commands.  This  article  has  been  extensively 
used  in  the  instruction  of  cadets  at  the  United  States 


92      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OP  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

Military  Academy  and  was  printed  in  the  Infantry 
Journal  for  August  191 7. 

"A  command,  correctly  given,  has  three  general  attri- 
butes :  tone,  quality,  and  volimie.  Of  these  three,  volume 
is  the  least  important.  Tone  is  very  important  from  the 
commander's  view-point,  as  the  tone,  to  a  great  extent, 
determines  the  strain  on  his  voice.  Quality  determines 
the  distinctness  of  the  command,  whether  it  may  be  readily 
understood,  effects  the  carrying  power  of  the  command, 
and  also  affects  the  strain  on  the  vocal  apparatus. 

"First,  in  giving  commands,  the  commander  should 
place  himself  so  that  he  can  see  the  entire  command 
and  so  that  the  entire  command  will  be  included  within 
the  cone  of  maximum  sound  formed  by  his  voice.  This 
will  generally  be  a  point  opposite  the  center  of  the  com- 
mand and  at  least  as  far  from  the  command  as  one-half 
its  width.  In  addition  to  locating  himself  so  that  he  gets 
the  maximum  results  from  his  efforts,  the  commander 
should  always  assume  a  military  attitude  in  giving  com- 
mands, for  two  reasons:  first,  because  of  the  potent 
effect  of  a  good  example,  and  second,  because  he  can 
give  his  commands  better.  If  the  shoulders  are  thrown 
back  and  the  chest  lifted  commands  can  be  given  with 
maximum  power  and  minimum  effort.  If  the  head  is 
held  high,  the  throat  may  be  more  easily  opened  and  the 
sound  is  least  obstructed  because  the  throat  forms  a  straight 
passage.  In  addition,  the  raising  of  the  chin  gives  most 
freedom  to  the. vocal  organs.     If  the  head  is  allowed  to 


GIVING  COMMANDS  93 

droop,  none  of  the  above  advantages  will  be  obtained  and 
the  sound  will  be  thrown  down  toward  the  ground  and 
soon  be  lost.  The  head,  shoulders,  hands,  in  fact,  the 
entire  body  should  be  kept  still  when  giving  commands. 
The  snap  and  force  needed  especially  in  commands  of 
execution,  is  obtained  by  a  proper  functioning  of  the 
diaphragm ;  the  air  being  expelled  suddenly  from  the  chest 
by  its  use,  not  by  flapping  the  arms  or  performing  other 
convulsions.  Always  look  directly  toward  the  command 
and  never  look  down  toward  the  ground. 

"Sound  is  foiTQed,  and  its  pitch,  tone,  and  quality 
are  determined  in  the  throat.  In  order  to  preserve  the 
voice,  a  constant  effort  should  be  made  to  keep  the  pitch 
down  and  the  tone  produced  should  come  from  the  chest, 
not  from  the  head.  Other  things  being  equal,  the  low- 
pitched  voice  will  be  able  to  give  good  commands  for  some 
time  after  a  high-pitched  voice  will  have  failed  from  over- 
strain. The  best  tone  quality  is  obtained  by  opening 
the  throat  as  wide  as  possible  and  holding  the  head  up 
so  that  the  tone  is  least  obstructed  and  most  resonant. 
The  teeth  should  also  be  opened  in  order  not  to  obstruct 
the  tone.  Beginners  will  find  it  almost  impossible  to  open 
the  throat  without  opening  the  mouth  at  the  same  time, 
and  should  very  propsrly  do  so. 

"The  sound  having  been  formed  in  the  throat,  the 
mouth,  tongue,  teeth  and  lips  shape  the  sound  into  words 
Failure  to  properly  use  these  parts  of  the  vocal  apparatus 
is  a  general  fault,  and  results  in  unintelligible  commands. 


94      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

It  is  a  simple  matter  to  bellow  loud  enough  to  be  heard 
several  hundred  yards;  the  difficult  thing  is  to  make  the 
bellow  intelHgible  even  at  a  short  distance.  The  secret 
of  making  commands  intelligible  lies  in  proper  enuncia- 
tion and  clear-cut  elegance  of  diction.  To  enunciate  a 
word  properly  care  must  be  taken  that  both  the  first 
and  last  letters  of  every  single  syllable  are  distinctly 
sounded,  and  that  words  are  ended  fully  and  sharply, 
without  allowing  the  voice  to  droop  on  the  last  syllable. 

"All  commands  which  permit  it  should  be  pronounced 
as  broadly  as  possible,  as  the  voice  has  its  best  quality 
and  is  least  strained  when  forming  soimds  which  are 
given  with  the  throat  open.  All  'a's'  should  be  pro- 
nounced like  'a'  in  'father.'  Short  closed  sounds,  such 
as  the  '  a '  in  '  day, '  when  given  with  any  great  volume 
of  sound  constrict  all  the  muscles  of  the  throat  and  soon 
inflame  the  throat  tissues. 

"Commands  of  execution  need  not  have  excessive 
volume,  but  must  be  short,  sharp,  and  given  at  the  proper 
time.  Too  great  stress  cannot  be  laid  on  this  necessity 
for  giving  commands  of  execution  at  the  proper  instant. 
If  marching,  the  command  of  execution  of  all  movements 
should  be  given  as  one  of  the  feet  strikes  the  ground. 
In  such  commands  as  Company  HALT,  both  commands 
should  be  given  in  cadence;  the  first  as  one  foot  strikes 
the  ground ;  the  second  as  the  same  foot  strikes  the  ground 
again.  It  is  preferable  to  give  all  commands  possible 
on  the  left  foot  (except  changes  of  direction  to  the  right, 


GIVING  COMMANDS  95 

when  the  command  should  come  on  the  right  foot).  In 
order  to  be  able  to  give  commands  at  the  proper  instant, 
the  commander  must  have  thoroughly'  absorbed  the  ca- 
dence of  quick  time  and  should  never  depend  on  watching 
the  feet  of  his  command  or  thinking  of  his  own  feet,  in 
order  to  gi^.^e  his  commands  correctly. 

"Commands  of  execution  given  both  at  a  halt  and 
while  marching,  should  follow  the  preparatory  com- 
mand at  an  interval  which  is  sufficiently  long  to  enable 
every  man  in  ranks  to  clearly  understand  the  command. 
Beginners  very  frequently  fail  to  give  sufficient  interval 
and  should  for  that  reason  pay  particular  attention  to  it. 
The  interval  should  be  longer  when  giving  commands 
to  large  bodies  than  when  giving  them  to  small  bodies. 
An  interval  equal  to  the  time  required  to  take  four  steps 
in  quick  time  is  ample  when  giving  commands  to  a  very 
large  company,  and  may  be  reduced  to  the  time  required 
to  take  two  steps  when  giving  commands  to  smaller 
units.  When  giving  commands  to  a  battalion,  or  other 
unit  in  which  the  preparatory  command  must  be  repeated 
by  subordinate  commanders,  there  should  be  an  interval 
between  the  last  preparatory  command  and  the  command 
of  execution  not  less  than  the  time  required  to  take  two 
steps  in  quick  time. 

"The  method  of  giving  commands  indicated  above 
is-  especially  applicable  to  commands  given  to  dismoimted 
units.  Where  the  control  of  horses  is  involved  the  interval 
between  commands  should  be  about  double  that  used  in 


96  -  THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

commands  given  to  dismounted  units,  this  to  allow  the 
horse  to  be  prepared  for  the  command  of  execution.  Com- 
mands of  execution  given  to  mounted  units  are  usually 
more  prolonged,  as  mounted  movements  are  not  normally 
executed  as  sharply  as  dismounted  movements;  also 
there  is  frequently  more  noise,  above  which  the  command 
must  be  heard. 

"A  command  which  has  all  the  mechanical  perfections 
above  outlined,  still  falls  very  far  short  of  being  a  perfect 
command  if  it  has  not  in  addition  enthusiasm  and  a 
vibrant  'lift'  which  makes  every  subordinate  want  to 
do  his  best  and  proud  to  do  his  best.  Excellent  drill 
sergeants  have  the  mechanical  perfections;  the  officer 
should  most  assuredly  be  equally  well  equipped  in  that 
respect,  but  he  should  also  use  his  commands  to  stir 
the  men  and  bring  out  the  best  that  is  in  them.  Slovenly, 
monotonic,  drooping  commands  will  transform  the  best 
organization  in  the  world  into  a  listless,  careless,  and  worth- 
less mob.  A  cheerful,  vibrant,  forceful  command  will  just 
as  quickly  restore  them  to  a  wilhng,  inspirited,  efficient 
entity." 


CHAPTER  VIII 

GAMES  AND  CONTESTS 

Games  and  contests  are  not  only  very  good  exercise  but 
are  also  excellent  means  of  assisting  in  building  up  a 
"happy"  organization.  Care  must  be  taken  that  they  are 
not  given  too  frequently,  however,  as  their  function  should 
be  merely  to  whet  the  appetite.  Once  or  twice  a  month  will 
be  sufficient.  The  instructor  should  endeavor  to  so  gauge 
the  time  that  the  games  are  stopped  before  the  men  start 
to  become  tired  of  them. 

Any  contests  may  be  used  which  are  readily  explained, 
require  little  if  any  special  equipment  and  allow  a 
large  number  of  men  to  participate.  The  following  are 
suggested : 

Group  Contests. 

I.  Inter-squad  and  inter-platoon  tug-of-war:  The  con- 
testing groups  should  be  equal  in  number.  Each 
side  takes  position  along  its  half  of  a  long  heavy 
rope  and  endeavors  to  pull  the  other  side  out  of 
its  position.  A  centre  point  on  the  rope  is  marked, 
as  are  also  points  on  the  rope  four  feet  on  either  side 
of  the  centre  point.  Tugs  should  be  limited  to  two 
minutes.  The  side  which  pulls  its  opponent  four 
feet,  or  has  the  centre  point  in  its  territory  at  the 

97 


98       THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRK^L 

end  of  two  minutes,  wins.  At  the  instant  that  the 
pull  starts  a  mark  is  made  on  the  ground  directly 
under  the  centre  point  on  the  rope. 

2.  Linked  arm  tug: 

If  no  rope  is  available  the  men  in  each  group  link 
elbows. 

3.  Standing  broad  jump : 

Each  man  of  a  group  starts  his  jump  from  the  point 
reached  by  his  previous  team-mate.  The  total 
distance  covered  is  the  jump  of  the  entire  group. 

4.  Hop,  step  and  jump.    Cimiulative  as  in  3. 

5.  Two  steps  and  jtmip.    Cumulative  as  in  3. 

6.  Shot  put  (use  stone  for  shot).    Cumulative  as  in  3. 

7.  Bomb  throwing  for  distance.    Cumulative  as  in  3. 

8.  Push  man: 

Groups  of  equal  size  start  from  lines  twenty  yards 
apart.  Each  group  endeavors  to  get  men  from  the 
other  side  and  push  or  pull  them  back  over  the  line 
they  started  from. 

9.  Medicine  ball  race: 

Teams,  equal  in  size  and  from  6  to  12  men  each, 
line  up  at  4-foot  distances  behind  one  another.  A 
medicine  ball,  cloth  ball,  handkerchief  or  other 
article  is  passed  back  by  the  first  man,  going  be- 
tween the  legs  of  every  man  on  the  team.  The  last 
man  runs  up  to  the  leader's  place  with  the  ball 
and  all  the  men  shift  backward  one  place  and  the 
ball  is  again  passed  down  the  column.     The  last 


GAMES  AND  CONTESTS  99 

man  must  in  every  case  be  back  on  the  same  line 
and  must  carry  the  ball  up  and  start  it  through 
while  on  the  ground  first  occupied  by  the  original 
leader.  When  the  original  leader  has  shifted  all 
the  way  back  to  last  place  and  carries  the  ball  back 
to  the  start-line  his  team  has  finished.  The  team 
that  finishes  first  wins.  Teams  may  be  required 
to  complete  the  cycle  twice  before  the  race  is 
completed. 

10.  Relay  Race: 

Teams  to  be  equal  in  number.  A. circular  course  is 
preferable;  if  not  available,  each  man  may  be 
required  to  run  to  a  certain  point  and  back  touching 
his  team-mate  before  the  latter  leaves  the  starting 
point. 

11.  Group  loo-yard  dash: 

The  slowest  man  in  each  group  determines  the 
speed  of  the  group.  Team-mates  may  assist  each 
other  in  any  way.  This  race  may  be  run  fully 
equipped. 

1 2 .  Group  pig-a-back  race — 40  yards : 

Half  of  each  group  must  ride  pig-a-back.  As 
soon  as  one  carrier  has  crossed  the  finish  line  he 
can  go  back  and  help  one  of  his  team-mates.  Last 
man  determines  the  speed  of  the  group. 

13.  Group  obstacle  race: 

Speed  of  last  man  determines  speed  of  group. 
Team-mates  may  help  each  other  in  any  way. 


loo      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

14.  Group  one-legged  50-yard  race: 

Conducted  as  No.  11,  contestants  hopping  on  one 
leg  only. 

Individual  Contests 

15.  Potato  race: 

Each  contestant  starts  from  a  line  on  which  is 
placed  one  basket  or  other  receptacle  for  each  con- 
testant. Eight  potatoes  (stones  or  pieces  of  wood, 
■  etc.)  are  placed  along  a  course  at  intervals  of  5 
yards.  The  object  is  to  recover  the  ''potatoes" 
and  place  them  in  the  receptacle.  Only  one  "potato" 
may  be  recovered  at  a  time.  All  must  be  inside 
the  receptacle.    A  circle  will  suffice  as  a  receptacle. 

Athletic  meets  may  include  the  following  events  which 
are  capable  of  group  scoring.  It  must  always  be  kept 
in  mind  that  the  objective  sought  is  the  improvement 
of  the  weaker  men  and  never  the  development  of  a  few 
individual  stars. 

16.  Standing  broad  jump: 

Each  contestant  who  clears  6  feet  gets  one  point 
for  his  team  and  one  point  for  each  additional  6 
inches. 

1 7 .  Running  broad  jump : 

One  point  for  clearing  10  feet,  one  point  for  each, 
additional  foot. 


GAMES  AND  CONTESTS  loi 

1 8.  Standing  high  junip. 

One  point  for  clearing  2  feet,  one  point  for  each 
additional  two  inches. 

19.  Running  high  jump: 

One  point  for  clearing  3  feet,  one  point  for  each 
additional  3  inches. 

20.  1 2 -lb.  shot  put  (or  stone): 

One  point  for  putting  eighteen  feet.  One  point 
for  each  additional  foot. 

Group  events,  such  as  loo-yd.  dash  (see  No.  11),  etc., 
should  also  be  included.  Five  points  are  awarded  for  each 
member  of  team  finishing  first;  three  points  for  each 
member  of  the  team  finishing  second;  one  point  for  third. 

The  following  individual  contests  are  taken  from  the 
Manual  of  Physical  Training,  U.  S.  Army : 

"These  exercises  are  those  in  which  the  benefits  are 
lost  sight  of  in  the  pleasure  their  attainment  provides, 
which  in  the  case  of  these  contests  is  the  vanquishing 
of  an  opponent.  The  men  are  pitted  against  each  other 
in  pairs ;  age,  height,  weight,  and  general  physical  aptitude 
being  the  determining  factors  in  the  selection. 

"In  the  contests  in  which  superiority  is  dependent 
upon  skill  and  agility  no  restrictions  need  be  placed  upon 
the  efforts  of  the  contestants;  but  in  those  that  are  a  test 
of  strength  and  endurance  it  is  well  to  call  a  contest  a 
"draw,"  when  the  men  are  equally  matched  and  the 
contest  is  likely  to  be  drawn  out  to  the  point  of  exhaustion 
of  one  or  both  contestants.     ******     ******* 


102      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"Contests  that  require  skill  and  agility  should  alternate 
with  those  that  depend  upon  strength  and  endurance.  In 
order  to  facilitate  the  instruction  a  number  of  pairs  should 
be  engaged  at  the  same  time. 

"  I .  Cane  wresthng :  The  cane  to  be  about  an  inch  in 
diameter  and  a  yard  long,  ends  rounded.  It  is  grasped 
with  the  right  hand  at  the  end,  knuckles  down,  and  with 
the  left  hand,  knuckles  up,  inside  of  and  close  to  the  op- 
ponent's right  hand.  Endeavor  is  then  made  to  wrest 
the  cane  from  the  opponent.  Loss  of  grip  with  either 
hand  loses  the  bout. 

"2.  Cane  twisting:  Same  cane  as  in  i.  Contestants 
grasp  it  as  in  i,  only  the  knuckles  of  both  hands  are  up, 
and  the  arms  are  extended  overhead.  Object:  The 
contestants  endeavor  to  make  the  cane  1  evolve  in  their 
opponent's  hands  without  allowing  it  to  do  so  in  their 
own.    The  cane  must  be  forced  down. 

"3.  Cane  pulling :  Contestants  sit  on  the  ground,  facing 
each  other,  legs  straight  and  the  soles  of  the  feet  in  con- 
tact. The  cane  is  grasped  as  in  2,  but  close  to  the  feet. 
Object:  To  pull  the  opponent  to  his  feet.  The  legs 
throughout  the  contest  must  be  kept  rigid. 

"4.  'Bucked'  contest:  Contestants  sit  on  the  ground 
'bucked';  i.  e.,  the  cane  is  passed  under  the  knees,  which 
are  drawn  up,  and  the  arms  passed  under  the  cane 
with  the  fingers  laced  in  front  of  the  ankles.  Object: 
To  get  the  toes  under  those  of  the  opponent  and  roll 
him  over. 


GAMES  AND  CONTESTS 


103 


"5.  Single  pole  pushing:  Contestants  grasp  end  of 
pole,  6  feet  long  and  2  inches, thick,  and  brace  themselves. 
Object :  To  push  the  opponent  out  of  position. 

"6.  Double  pole  pushing:  Two  poles  are  placed  under 
the  arms  close  to  the  arm  pits,  ends  projecting.  Object: 
Same  as  in  5. 

"7.  Double  pole  pulling:  Position  as  in  6  but  stand- 
ing back  to  back.  Object:  To  pull  the  opponent  out  of 
position. 

"8.  'Cock  fight'*  Contestants  hop  on  one  leg  with  the 
arms  folded  closely  over  the  chest.  Object:  By  butting 
with  the  fleshy  part  of  the  shoulder  without  raising  the 
arms,  or  by  dodging  to  make  the  opponent  change  his 
feet  or  touch  the  floor  with  his  hand  or  other  part  of 
his  body. 

"9.  One-legged  tug  of  war :  Contestants  hop  on  one  leg 
and  grasp  hands  firmly.  Object:  To  pull  the  opponent 
forward  or  make  him  place  the  raised  foot  on  the  floor. 

"10.  The  'siege':  One  contestant  stands  with  one  foot 
in  a  circle  14  inches  in  diameter,  the  other  foot  outside, 
and  the  arms  folded  as  in  8.  Two  other  contestants, 
each  hopping  on  one  leg,  endeavor  to  dislodge  the  one 
in  the  circle  by  butting  him  with  the  shoulder.  The  be- 
sieged one  is  defeated  in  case  he  raises  the  foot  in  the 
circle,  or  removes  it  entirely  from  the  circle.  The  be- 
siegers are  defeated  in  case  they  change  feet  or  touch  the 
floor  as  in  8.  As  soon  as  either  of  the  latter  is  defeated 
his  place  is  immediately  filled,  so  that  there  are  always 


104      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OP  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

two  attacking.  The  besieged  should  resort  to  volting, 
ducking,  etc.,  rather  than  to  depend  upon  his  strength. 

"ii.  One-armed  tug:  Contestants  stand  facing  each 
other;  right  hands  grasped,  feet  apart.  Object:  Without 
moving  feet,  to  pull  the  opponent  forward.  Shifting  the 
feet  loses  the  bout. 

"i2.  'Tug  royal':  Three  contestants  stand  facing 
inward  and  grasp  each  other's  wrists  securely  and  with 
their  feet  outside  a  circle  about  three  feet  in  diameter.  Ob- 
ject :  By  pulling  or  pushing  to  make  one  of  the  contestants 
step  inside  of  the  circle. 

"13.  Indian  wrestling :  Contestants  lie  upon  the  ground 
face  up,  right  shoulders  in  close  contact,  right  elbows 
locked;  at  one  the  right  leg  is  raised  overhead  and  lowered, 
this  is  repeated  at  two,  and  at  three  the  leg  is  raised  quickly 
and  locked  with  the  opponent's  right  leg.  Object:  To 
roll  him  over  by  forcing  his  leg  down." 


CHAPTER  IX 

FOR  THE  CIVILIAN  INSTRUCTOR 

This  chapter  is  intended  especially  for  the  instructor 
who  has  not  had  military  training. 

The  general  scheme  of  military  drill  is  very  simple. 
The  leader  conveys  his  desires  to  his  group  by  means  of 
short  simple  commands.  These  commands  are  of  two 
kinds,  i.e.,  preparatory  commands  and  commands  of 
execution.  The  preparatory  command  indicates  the 
movement  desired  and  the  command  of  execution  is  the 
signal  to  start  the  desired  movement.  For  instance,  if 
the  leader  wishes  his  group  to  move  forward  he  gives  the 
command  Forward,  MARCH.  Forward  is  the  preparatory 
command,  and  MARCH  is  the  command  of  execution. 
Throughout  the  book  preparatory  commands  are  printed 
in  black  lower  case  and  commands  of  execution  are  printed 
in  black  capitals.  In  this  connection  the  instructor  should 
now  read  Chapter  VII,  which  discusses  in  detail  the 
subject  of  giving  commands. 

To  properly  conduct  a  physical  drill  an  instructor 
should  be  able  to  execute  the  drill  movements  himself 
and  explain  them  in  minute  detail.  The  few  infantry 
drill  movements  necessary  for  physical  drill  are  explained 
below.  In  each  case  the  command  appears  first  and  the 
method  of  execution  follows: 

105 


io6      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

FALL  IN. 

To  start  a  calisthenic  section,  the  pupils  should  first 
be  told  to  arrange  themselves  in  a  rank  or  row,  all  facing 
in  the  same  direction  and  toward  the  instructor  and  with 
four  inches  interval  between  the  elbows  of  adjacent 
individuals.  It  will  at  first  be  necessary  for  the  instructor 
to  indicate  precisely  the  line  he  desires  the  class  to  form 
on.  The  pupils  should  be  then  arranged  in  the  line  accord- 
ing to  height,  and  told  to  form  in  the  same  order  in  the 
future.     (See  note  below.) 

The  pupils  should  then  be  told  that  the  signal  to  take 
this  formation  in  the  future  will  be  the  command  FALL  IN. 

From  the  start  the  pupils  should  be  required  to  jump 
to  their  places,  and  having  arrived  there  to  immediately 
assume  a  correct  position.  This  correct  position  is  de- 
scribed in  Chapter  II,  page  17,  and  should  be  explained 
to  the  class  the  first  thing  after  they  are  formed.  It  will 
be  necessary  to  describe  the  correct  position  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  first  few  drills,  and  it  will  be  found  that  indi- 
vidual and  a  few  collective  corrections  will  be  necessary 
even  with  advanced  pupils. 

Note:  If  the  section  is  composed  of  more  than  thirty  pupils,  it 
should  be  formed  in  double  instead  of  single  rank.  The  second,  or 
rear  rank,  is  formed  directly  in  rear  of  the  front  rank  with  a  forty- 
inch  space  between  ranks.  There  should  be  the  same  number  of 
pupils  in  each  rank.  The  pupils  in  the  rear  rank  should  so  place 
themselves  that  each  one  will  be  directly  in  rear  of  a  pupil  in  the 
front  rank  and  forty  inches  behind  him.  When  thus  properly 
behind  his  front  rank  man,  the  pupil  in  rear  is  said  to  be  "  covering." 


FOR  THE  CIVILIAN  INSTRUCTOR  107 

In  starting  the  drill  the  instructor  must  encourage  the 
pupils  just  as  much  as  possible.  They  should  be  made 
to  feel  that  the  work  they  are  doing  is  going  to  benefit 
them  directly  and  immediately,  and  every  effort  should 
be  made  to  appeal  to  their  pride.  Sarcasm  is  a  most 
harmful  means  of  obtaining  results  and  should  not  be 
employed. 

Right,  FACE  (Left,  FACE). 

At  the  command  FACE,  the  body  is  turned  ninety 
degrees  to  the  right,  pivoting  on  the  right  heel.  The 
turn  is  accomplished  by  raising  the  ball  of  the  right  foot 
and  turning  the  body  to  the  right  by  pressing  on  the  ball 
of  the  left  foot.  The  turn  of  the  body  is  made  in  one 
motion.  The  movement  is  completed  by  bringing  the 
left  foot  up  smartly  beside  the  right.  This  movement  of 
the  left  foot  is  accomplished  as  a  second  and  distinct 
motion. 

When  a  section  faces,  all  should  execute  the  movement 
simultaneously,  first  the  turn,  and  second,  the  click  as 
the  heels  come  together.  As  the  movement  is  completed 
the  position  of  attention  is  assumed — the  chest  up,  chin 
slightly  raised,  the  arms  motionless. 

Being  at  a  halt,  to  march  forward  the  commands  are 
Forward,  MARCH. 

At  Forward,  the  preparatory  command,  the  weight  is 
thrown  very  slightly  to  the  right  and  the  greater  part  of 
the  work  of  supporting  the  body  is  assumed  by  the  right 


io8      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

leg.  This  movement  should  be  almost  imperceptible. 
At  the  command  MARCH,  the  left  foot  is  carried  forward 
smartly  and  planted,  without  shock,  thirty  inches  in 
front  of  its  starting  position.  In  this  connection  the 
following  is  important. 

Rule:  Always  step  off  with  the  left  foot  first.  Having 
advanced  the  left  foot,  the  right  is  advanced  and  planted 
thirty  inches  in  front  of  the  left,  and  so  on.  The  arms 
are  allowed  to  swing  naturally  while  marching. 

The  length  of  the  step  while  marching  is  thirty  inches, 
measured  from  heel  to  heel,  and  the  cadence  is  120  steps 
per  minute. 

Instructors  will  find  that  there  will  be  an  almost  con- 
stant tendency  to  drag  the  step  and  keep  it  down  to  less 
than  120  steps  per  minute.  This  can  be  remedied  by 
putting  a  bright,  alert  pupil  who  has  a  good  sense  of 
rhythm  in  front  and  by  counting  the  step  in  a  short,  clear- 
cut,  snappy  manner.  Instructors  should  practice  walking 
and  timing  themselves,  remembering  that  120  steps  per 
minute  means  ten  steps  every  five  seconds. 

To  halt  the  squad  the  commands  are:    Squad  (Section, 
etc.),  HALT. 

At  the  command  HALT,  given  as  either  foot  strikes  the 
ground,  advance  and  plant  the  other  foot  as  in  marching, 
raise  and  place  the  first  foot  smartly  by  the  side  of  the 
other.  At  the  same  instant  that  the  movement  is  com- 
pleted by  placing  the  first  foot  by  the  side  of  the  other, 


FOR  THE  CIVILIAN  INSTRUCTOR  109 

the  position  of  attention  should  be  assumed  with  a  snap, 
heels  coming  together  with  a  click  and  the  chin  raised 
with  a  slight  toss. 

The  section  should  now  be  practiced  in  moving  off  at 
the  command  Forward,  MARCH,  and  halting  at  the 
command  Section,  HALT. 

Being  in  column,  to  change  direction  (i.e.)  to  turn  a 
comer  at  right  angles)  the  commands  are : 
Column  Right  (Left),  MARCH. 

At  the  command  MARCH,  the  leading  man  (or  leading 
pair,  or  rank)  turns  to  the  right  in  marching  and  moves 
off  in  the  new  direction.  The  other  men  march  squarely 
up  to  the  turning  point  and  turn  successively  on  the  same 
ground.  (Note:  In  a  physical  drill  the  leaders  should 
be  instructed  to  march  in  a  square  around  the  instructor, 
making  the  turns  without  commands.) 

Being  at  a  halt  to  march  backward,  the  commands  are: 
Backward,  MARCH. 

The  pupils  take  steps  of  fifteen  inches  straight  to  the 
rear.     (This  movement  is  used  for  short  distances  only.) 

When  handling  very  small  sections,  the  calisthenic 
exercises  may  be  given  to  the  section  in  line,  facing  the 
instructor;  sections  of  thirty  or  more,  however,  should  be 
extended  so  that  all  will  have  sufficient  room.  This  is 
accomplished  by  first  having  the  section  count  off  and 
then  take  distance  to  the  front. 

Being  in  line  at  a  halt,  to  count  off,  the  commands 
are: 


no      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

COUNT  OFF. 

At  this  command  all  except  the  pupil  on  the  extreme 
right  turn  the  head  and  eyes  to  the  right,  and  beginning 
on  the  right  the  pupils  count  one,  two,  three,  four,  one, 
two,  three,  four,  one,  two,  etc.,  in  succession;  each  indi- 
vidual turns  his  head  and  eyes  to  the  front  as  he  counts. 
If  for  any  reason  the  instructor  wishes  to  count  off  by 
threes  or  other  number  instead  of  fours,  he  prefixes  the 
number  desired  to  the  command,  thus: 
Threes,  COUNT  OFF. 

In  counting  off,  when  in  double  rank,  the  pupils  of  the 
rear  rank  count  off  just  as  the  front  ranlc  does,  each  pupil 
in  the  rear  rank  being  careful  to  count  off  at  exactly  the 
same  instant  that  the  man  in  front  of  him  does. 

To  take  distances  to  the  front  the  commands  are: 
Take  distance,  MARCH;  Section,  HALT. 

At  the  command  MARCH,  all  the  numbers  i  of  the 
the  front  rank  move  straight  to  the  front,  stepping  off 
on  the  left  foot  first;  all  the  numbers  2  of  the  front  rank 
step  off  so  as  to  follow  the  numbers  i  at  four  paces;  the 
numbers  3  and  4  of  the  front  rank,  and  the  numbers  i, 
2,  3  and  4  of  the  rear  rank,  in  the  order  named,  move 
straight  to  the  front,  each  stepping  off  so  as  to  follow 
the  preceding  number  at  four  paces.  The  command 
HALT  is  given  when  all  have  their  distances.  As  the 
pupils  move  forward,  each  rank  of  numbers  aligns  itself 
and  guides  to  the  right.  The  cadenced  step  is  maintained 
throughout  the  movement. 


FOR  THE  CIVILIAN  INSTRUCTOR  iii 

Being  at  distances  to  assemble  the  squad  the  commands 
are: 
Assemble,  MARCH. 

All  the  numbers  i  of  the  front  rank  stand  fast;  at  the 
command  MARCH  all  the  other  numbers  step  off  and 
move  forward  to  their  proper  places  in  the  original  double 
or  single  rank  formation  from  which  they  started. 

The  above  comprises  the  drill  movements  which  are 
absolutely  essential  in  the  conduct  of  a  physical  drill. 
For  further  infantry  drill  movements  the  Infantry  Drill 
Regulations,  U.  S.  Army,  should  be  consulted. 

Having  mastered  the  above  drill  movements,  both 
theoretically  and  practically,  the  instructor  is  ready  to 
proceed  with  the  conduct  of  a  physical  drill  as  outlined 
in  Chapter  II. 


APPENDIX 

The  following  paragraphs  have  been  selected  from  the 
War  Department  publication,  "Special  Regulations  No. 
23,  Field  Physical  Training  of  The  Soldier."  These  regu- 
lations v/ere  written  by  Major  Koehler  in  order  to  supply 
a  definite  program  to  be  followed  by  new  instructors: 

Section  IV 

HINTS    TO    INSTRUCTORS 

"26.  Exercise  the  Means,  Not  the  End. — It  should  be 
borne  in  mind  constantly  that  the  exercises  are  the  msans 
and  not  the  end,  and  that  it  is  the  application  of  an  exercise 
rather  than  the  exercise  itself  that  brings  results.  When- 
ever a  doubt  arises  in  an  instructor's  mind  as  to  the  effect 
of  an  exercise,  or  the  condition  of  a  man,  he  should  always 
err  on  the  side  of  safety.  Underdoing  is  rectifiahle;  over- 
doing is  often  not. 

"27.  Respiration  While  Exercising. — Every  exercise 
should,  if  possible,  be  accompanied  by  an  uninterrupted 
act  of  respiration;  inhalation,  whenever  possible,  should 
always  accompany  that  part  of  an  exercise  that  tends  to 
elevate  and  extend  the  thorax,  while  exhalation  should 
accompany  that  part  of  an  exercise  chat  tends  to  exert  a 
pressure  on  the  chest  walls. 

"28.  Time  for  Physical  Drills. — Exercises  should  never 
be  indulged  in  immediately  before  or  after  a  meal;  digestion 
112 


APPENDIX  113 

is  of  primary  importance  at  such  times.  An  hour  and  a 
half  should  elapse  after  meals  before  engaging  in  any 
strenuous  exercises,  and,  if  possible,  such  exercises  should 
terminate  an  hour  or  at  least  a  half  hour  before  eating. 

"29.  'Before  Reveille'  Drills. — 'Before  reveille' exer- 
cises' are  not  recommended;  if  indulged  in  at  aU,  they 
should  never  go  beyond  a  few  arm  stretchings  and  relaxed 
trunk-bending  exercises;  just  exertion  enough  to  mildly 
accelerate  circulation. 

"30.  Uniform  to  be  Worn. — The  uniform  to  be  worn 
will  depend  upon  the  season  of  the  year  and  the  weather 
conditions.  During  the  summer  undershirts,  loosely 
laced  breeches,  and  tennis  shoes  may  be  worn;  during  the 
colder  months  flannel  olive  drab  shirts  and  the  ordinary 
shoes  should  be  prescribed.    The  leggings  will  not  be  worn. 

''After  exercising  the  underclothing  should  be  immedi- 
ately removed;  and  if  it  is  impossible  to  bathe,  the  body 
should  be  thoroughly  rubbed  dry  with  a  coarse  towel." 

Section  VII 

GENERAL    REMARKS 

Paragraph 

What  course  comprises 36 

Number  of  times  an  exercise  should  be  repeated 37 

Exercising  to  point  of  exhaustion 38 

Starting  positions  and  commands  therefor  in  first  four  lessons. .  .   39 

Progressive  difficulty,  how  obtained 40 

Significance  of  numbers  bracketed  after  exercises 41 

Instructors  must  familiarize  themselves  with  work 43 

Definition  of  the  stride  and  straddle  positions 44 

Frequency  pf  rests 42 


114    THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"2,^.  What  Course  Comprises. — The  following  course 
comprises  12  lessons,  one  for  each  week  of  the  three  months' 
training  course.  No  advance  lessons  should,  however,  te 
taken  up  until  satisfactory  proficiency  has  been  made  in 
the  preceding  lesson. 

"At  the  discretion  of  the  instructor  the  essential  prin- 
ciples of  the  last  lesson  may  be  incorporated  in  the  advance 
lesson. 

"37.  Number  of  Times  an  Exercise  Should  be  Repeated. 
— The  number  of  times  an  exercise  should  be  repeated 
has  not  been  specified,  as  that  will  depend  entirely  upon 
the  strength,  aptitude,  and  proficiency  of  the  men  and 
upon  the  common  sense  of  the  instructor,  who  is  again 
warned  to  err  upon  the  side  of  safety. 

"38.  Exercising  to  Point  of  Exhaustion. — To  exercise 
men  to  the  point  of  exhaustion  is  not  only  liable  to  result 
seriously,  but  it  kills  the  spirit  and  enthusiasm  of  the  men, 
and  without  these  successful  military  training  of  any  kind 
is  impossible.  It  cannot  be  impressed  too  urgently  upon 
instructors  and  upon  others  connected  with  the  training 
of  recruits  that  this  drill,  particularly  the  morning  drill, 
must  leave  the  men  fit,  able,  and  willing  for  their  other 
tasks  with  an  increased  rather  than  with  a  diminished 
amount  of  exuberance. 

"Instructors  who  have  not  the  faculty  of  obtaining 
this  result  should  not  be  intrusted  with  this  instruction. 

"39.  Starting  Positions  and  Commands  Therefor  in 
First  Four  Lessons. — In  the  first  four  lessons  the  starting 


APPENDIX 


15 


position  from  which  the  exercises  are  executed  and  the 
commands  for  assuming  these  positions  are  given.  In  the 
other  lessons  these  commands  are  omitted,  instructors,  it 
is  taken  for  granted,  being  able  to  substitute  the  proper 
commands. 

"40.  Progressive  Difficulty,  How  Obtained. — In  a 
general  way  the  difficulty  of  an  exercise  is  increased 
progressively  by  adding  to  the  radius  of  action,  by  em- 
ploying two  or  more  parts  of  the  body,  or  by  changing 
the  radius  of  action  in  conjunction  with  the  principal 
movement.  Thus  in  the  trunk  exercises  the  part  about 
which  the  movement  takes  place  is  held  fixed  by  the 
hands  in  the  beginning.  When  sufficient  coordination 
has  been  developed  and  these  parts  can  be  controlled 
without  the  aid  of  the  hands,  the  radius  is  augmented  by 
assuming  certain  horizontal  or  vertical  positions  with  the 
arms;  finally  difficulty  is  added  by  changing  the  radius 
of  action  from  one  plane  to  another,  or  from  one  position 
to  another  in  the  same  plane  simultaneously  with  the 
principal  movement.  It  will  thus  become  necessary  to 
impress  upon  the  men  the  necessity  of  learning  to  move 
one  or  more  parts  of  the  body  independently  of  those 
that  are  not  specifically  employed. 

"41.  Significance  of  Numbers  Bracketed  After  Exer- 
cises.— Where  bracketed  numbers  are  found  after  an  exer- 
cise, they  refer  to  pages  in  the  Manual  of  Physical  Training, 
where  similar  exercises  are  illustrated  and  described. 


Il6      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"42.  Instructors  Must  Familiarize  Themselves  with 
Work. — Instructors  are  cautioned  that  success  can  only 
be  expected  if  they  themselves  are  thoroughly  familiar 
with  every  exercise. 

"43.  Definition  of  the  Stride  and  Straddle  Positions. — 
Where  the  term  stride  is  used  in  the  lessons  it  signifies  the 
movenent  of  one  foot  in  the  direction  indicated  to  a 
distance  of  about  20  inches;  the  term  straddle  signifies 
the  separation  of  both  feet  simultaneously,  with  a  slight 
hop,  and  distance  between  the  feet  is  about  jo  inches.  In 
both  positions  the  weight  is  equally  divided  upon  both  feet. 

"44.  Frequency  of  Rests. — In  the  beginning  short  but  fre- 
quent rests  should  be  given;  later,  as  tlie  men  become  better 
cond'tioned,  the  frequency  of  the  rests  should  be  decreased. 

"Short  and  snappy  drills  are  always  to  be  preferred  to 
long  and  tedious  drills." 

Section  VIII 

LESSONS    FOR    RECRUIT  Paragraph 

First  lesson 45 

Second  lesson 46 

Third  lesson 47 

Fourth  lesson 48 

Fifth  lesson 49 

Sixth  lesson 50 

Seventh  lesson 51 

Eighth  lesson 52 

Ninth  lesson 53 

Tenth  lesson 54 

Eleventh  lesson 55 

Twelfth  lesson 56 


APPENDIX  117 

"45.  First  Lesson. — Disciplinary  Exercises,     i.  Atten- 
tion; 2.  At  Ease;  3.  Rest;  4.  Facings. 
*'B.  Starting  Positions. 

"C.  Setting    up    Exercises    (every    exercise    has    two 

motions) : 

"    I.  Arms    forward,     2.  RAISE.     Swing    arms 

downward  and  forward. 

''2.  Hands  on  hips,  2. PLACE.  Riseontoes.  (33.) 

"3.  Hands   on  hips,   2.  PLACE.     Bend  head 

backward;  same  forward.     (3,8.) 
"4.  Hands  on  hips,   2.  PLACE.     Turn  trunk 

right;  same  left.     (40.) 
*'5.  Arms   to    thrust,    2.  RAISE.      Half   bend 

knees  slowly.     (35.) 
"6.  Hands  on  hips,   2.  PLACE.     Bend  trunk 

forward.     (36.) 
"7.  Arms    to    thrust,    2.  RAISE.      Raise   and 

lower  shoulders.     (32.) 
"8.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE.     Bend  trunk 

sideward,  right;  same  left.     (37.) 
"9.  Arms  forward,   2.  RAISE.     Stretch  arms 
sideward.     (43.) 
"10.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE.     Bend  trunk 

backward.     (34.) 
"11.  Hands  on  hips.     2.  PLACE.     Raise  knees 

forward  alternating^.     (41.) 
"12.  Breathing  Exercise.    Inhale  and  raise  arms 
sideward;  exhale  and  lower  arms. 


Ii8       THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"D.  Marching  Exercises : 

"i.  Marching  in  column  in  quick  time  and 

halting. 
''2.  Same,  marking  time  and  halting. 
"E.  Jumping  Exercises : 

"i.  Rise  on  toes  and  arms  forward,  RAISE, 
swing  arms  downward  and  bend  knees, 
swing  arms  forward  and  extend  knees, 
and  recover  attention.. 
**2.  Jumping  in  place.     (193.) 
"  F.  Double  timing : 

"i.  Double  timing,  change  to  quick  time  and 
halting.    (92.) 
"G.  Concluding  Exercises : 

"i.  Raise  arms  forward  and  sideward  quickly, 

muscles  relaxed. 
"2.  Breathing  exercise,   raising   and   lowering 
arms  sideward. 
Note. — The  marching,  jumping,  and  double-timing  exer- 
cises should  always  include  those  of  the  preceding  lesson. 
"46.  Second  Lesson. — ^A.  Disciplinary  Exercises.    Same 
as  in  first  lesson. 

* '  B .  Starting  positions . 

"C.  Setting-up    Exercises    (every    exercise    has    two 
motions) : 
"i.  Arms   forward,    2.  RAISE.      Swing   arms 

sideward. 
"2.  Handfj  on  hips,  2 .  PLACE.  Riseon  toes.  (33) 


APPENDIX  119 

"C.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"3.  Hands  on  hips,   2.  PLACE.     Turn  head 

right;  same,  left.     (41.) 
"4.  Hands   on   shoulders,    2.  PLACE.      Turn 

trunk  sideward,  right;  same,  left.     (40.) 
"5.  Hands   on   hips,    2.  PLACE.      Full   bend 

knees,  slowly.     (39.) 
"6.  Hands  on  hips,   2.  PLACE.     Bend  trunk 

forward.     (36.) 
"7.  Arms  to  thrust,  2.  RAISE.    Move  shoulders 

forward  and  backward.     (35.) 
*'8.  Arms  sideward,   2.  RAISE.     Bend  trunk 

sideward,  right;  same,  left.     (31.) 
"9.  From  attention :    Stretch  arms  forward  and 

sideward. 
"10.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE.     Bend  trunk 

baclcward.    (34.) 
"11.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE.    Extend  right 

and  left  leg  forward.     (44.) 
"12.  Breathing  Exercises:    Inhale,  raising  arms 

sideward  and  upward;  exhale,  lowering 

arms  sideward. 
*'D.  Marching  Exercises: 

"i.  Marching  in  column  in  quick  time,  mark 

time,  marching  in  quick  time  and  halt- 
ing.   (88.) 
"2.  Marching  on  toes.    (89.) 
"3.  Marching  on  toes  and  rocking. 


I20      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"E.  Jumping  Exercises: 

"  I.  From  attention,  jump  in  place.    (193.) 
"2.  From  attention,  jump  forward. 
"  F .   Double  Timing : 

"i.  Double  timing.    (92.) 

"2.  Double   time,    change   to   quick   time,    to 
double,  to  quick  time  and  halting. 
"G.  Concluding  Exercise: 

"i.  Bend  trunk  sideward,  muscles  relaxed. 
"2.  Breathing  exercise,  as  in  12. 
"47.  Third  Lesson. — A.   Disciplinary  Exercises,  as  in 

first  lesson. 
"B.  Starting  Positions. 
"C.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

"i.  Arms   forward,    2.  RAISE.      Swing   arms 

downward  and  sideward.     (4  motions.) 
"2.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE.    Rise  on  right 
and  left  toes,  alternatingly.    (4  motions.) 
(46.) 
"3.  Hands   on  hips,   2.  PLACE.     Bend  head 
forward   and   backward.      (4   motions.) 

(38.) 
"4.  Arms  sideward,   2.  RAISE.     Turn  trunk 

right  and  left.     (4  motions.)     (53.) 
"  5 .  Hands  on  hips,  2 .  PLACE.  Rise  on  toes  and 

full  bend  knees  slowly.   (2  motions.)  (39.) 
"6.  Fingers  in  rear  of  head,  2.  PLACE.    Bend 

trunk  forward.   (2  motions.)     (42.) 


APPENDIX  121 

"C.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"7.  Arms  to  thrust,  2 .  RAISE.    Move  shoulders 
forward,  upward,  backward,  and  recover 
(4  motions.) 
"8.  Hands   on   shoulders,    2.  PLACE.      Bend 
trunk    sideward,    right,    and    left.       (4 
motions.)     (37.) 
"9.  From  attention :  Stretch  arms  sideward,  up- 
ward, sideward,  and  recover.  (4  motions.) 
"10.  Hands   on   shoulders,    2.  PLACE.      Bend 

trunk  backward.     (2  motions.)     (34.) 
''11.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE.     Extend  right 

and  left  leg  backward.     (2  motions.) 
"12.  Breathing  exercise:     Inhale,  raising  arms 
forward,  upward;  and  exhale,  lowering 
arms  sideward,  down. 
"D.  Marching  Exercises: 

"  I .  Marching  in  quick  time,  raising  knees.  (89.) 
"2.  Raising  heels. 
"3.  Thrusting  arms  sideward. 
"E.  Jumping  Exercises : 

"  I.  Standing  broad  jump  forward. 
"2.  Three  successive  broad  jumps. 
"F.   Double  Timing: 

"i.  Double  timing.     (92.) 

"2.  Double  timing,  marking  time  in  the  double 

and  forward. 
"3.  Double  timing  and  halting  from  the  double. 


122      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OP  PHYSICAL  DRILL 


■'G.  Concluding  Exercises: 

"  I .  Bend  trunk  forward  and  backward,  relaxed. 

"2.  Breathing  exercise,  as  in  12. 
'48.  Fourth  Lesson. — A.  Disciplinary  Exercises,  as  in 

first  lesson. 
'B.  Starting  Positions. 
'C.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

1.  Hands  on  shoulders,  2.  PLACE.  Extend 
arms  forward;  swing  sideward,  forward, 
and  recover.     (4  motions.) 

2.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE.  Rise  on  toes 
quickly.     (2  motions.)     (33.) 

3.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE.  Turn  head 
right  and  left.     (4  motions.)     (41.) 

4.  Arms  upward,  2.  RAISE.  Turn  trunk 
right  and  left.     (4  motions.) 

5.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE.  Half  bend 
knees,  quickly.     (2  motions.)     (35.) 

6.  Arms  sideward,  2.  RAISE.  Bend  trunk 
forward.     (2  motions.) 

7.  Hands  on  shoulders,  2.  PLACE.  Move 
elbows  forward,  and  stretch  backward. 
(2  motions.)     (45.) 

8.  Arms  upward,  2.  RAISE.  Bend  trunk 
sideward,  right  and  left.     (4  motions.) 

From  Attention:  Stretch  arms  forward, 
sideward  upward,  sideward,  forward, 
and  recover.     (6  motions.) 


APPENDIX  123 

"C.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"10.  Arms  sideward,   2.  RAISE.     Bend  trunk 

backward.     (2  motions.) 
*'ii.  Hands  on  hips,  2.  PLACE.     Extend  legs 

sideward.     (2  motions.) 
"12.  Breathing  Exercises:     i.  Inhale  and  raise 
arm    forward,  upward;  exhale  and  lower 
arms  sideward. 
"D.  Marching  Exercises: 

"i.  Marching   in    quick    time,    raising   knees, 

rising  on  toes  of  other  foot. 
"2.  Swinging  extended  leg  forward,  ankle  high, 
"3.  Thrusting  arms  sideward. 
"E.  Jumping  Exercises: 

"i.  Three  successive  standing  broad  jumps. 
"2.  Jumping  in  place,  raising  knees. 
"  F.   Double  Timing : 

"  I.  Double  timing. 
"2.  Raising  heels. 

"3.  Double  timing,  sideward,  crossing  legs. 
"G.  Concluding  Exercises: 

"i.  Swing  arms  forward,  upward,  relaxed. 
"2.  Breathing  exercise  as  in  12. 
"49.  Fifth  Lesson. — A.  Disciplinary  Exercises. 
"B.  Starting  Positions. 
"C.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

"  I.  Arms  to  thrust,  thrust  arms  upward;  swing 
forward-downward;  forward-upward  and 
recover.     (4  motions.)     (55.) 


124      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"C.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued 

"2.  Hands  in  rear  of  head,  rise  on  toes  and 
rock.     (2  motions.)     (39.) 

"3.  Hands  on  hips,  bend  head  forward  and 
backward.     (4  motions.) 

"4.  Hands  on  shoulders,  turn  trunk  right  and 
left,  stretching  arms  sideward.  (4  mo- 
tions.)    (52.) 

"5.  Full  bend  knees,  hands  on  ground  between 
knees,  squatting  position,  extend  right 
and  left  leg  backward,  altematingly.  (4 
motions.)     (65.) 

"6.  Hands  on  shoulders,  bend  trunk  forward 
and  stretch  arms  sideward.    (2  motions.) 

(51) 

"7.  From  Attention,  curl  shoulders  forward 
and  stretch  backward.  (2  motions.)  (38.) 

"8.  Hands  on  shoulders,  bend  trunk  sideward, 
right  and  left,  extending  arms  sideward. 
(4  motions.)     (65.) 

**0.  From  Attention,  flex  forearms  vertically; 
extend  upward;  flex  and  recover.  (4 
motions.)  (54.) 
"  10.  Hands  on  shoulders,  bend  trunk  backward, 
and  stretching  arms  sideward.  (2  mo- 
tions.)    (56.) 


APPENDIX  125 

"C.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"ii.  From  Attention,  raise  arms  forward  and 
extend  leg  forward;  stretch  arms  side- 
ward, extending  leg  backward;  move 
arms  and  leg  to  first  position  and  recover 
attention.  (4  motions.)  (53.) 
"12.  Breathing  Exercise,  raise  arms  sideward; 
upward;  and  lower  laterally  quickly. 
(4  motions.) 
*D.  Marching  Exercises: 

"i.  March  in  quick  time  and  swing  extended 

leg  forward,  knee  high. 
"2.  Raising  knee  and  hopping  on  other  foot. 
"3.  From  arms  forward,  swing  arms  upward. 
'E.  Jumping  Exercises : 

"  I.  Standing  hop,  step  and  jump. 
"  2 .  Preliminary  running  broad  jumps. 
"3.  Broad  jump  from  a  walking  start  of  four 
paces.     (197.) 
"F.   Double  Timing: 

"  I.  Double  timing. 

"2.  Double  timing  sideward,   crossing  leg  in 

front. 
"3.  Double  timing,  raising  knees. 
"G.  Concluding  Exercises: 

"i.  Bend  trunk  forward  and  backward,    re- 
laxed. 
"2.  Breathing  exercises,  as  in  12. 


126      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"50.  Sixth  Lesson. — A.  Disciplinary  Exercises. 
"B.  Starting  Positions. 
"C.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

"i.  Hands  on  shoulders,  extend  arms  forward, 
swinging  right  arm  up,  left  down;  return 
to  front  horizontal  and  recover;  same 
reversed.     (8  motions.) 

"2.  Hands  on  hips,  rise  on  toes;  bend  knees 
quickly,  extending  arms  sideward;  re- 
cover.    (4  motions.) 

"  3 .  Hands  on  hips,  turn  head,  right  and  left  and 
bend  forward  and  backward.  (8  motions.) 

"4.  Arms  upward,  turn  trunk,  right  and  left, 
stretching  arms  to  side  horizontal,  palms 
up.     (4  motions.) 

*'5.  From  Attention,  bend  knees  to  squatting 
position  (see  exercise  5,  lesson  5)  and 
extend  legs  backward  to  front  leaning 
rest;  return  to  squatting  position,  and 
recover  position  of  attention.  (4  mo- 
tions.)    (58.) 

"6.  Hands  on  hips,  full  bend  trunk  forward, 
stretching  arms  downward.    (2  motions.) 

"7.  Arms  sideward,  rotate  arms  forward  and 
backward.    (2  motions.)    (52.) 

"8.  Arms  upward,  bend  trunk  sideward,  right 
and  left;  stretching  arms  to  side  hori- 
zontal, palms  down.     (4  motions.) 


APPENDIX  127 

"C.  Setting-up  Exercises— Continued. 

"9.  From  Attention,  stretch  arms  forward; 
sideward;  upward;  sideward;  forward 
and  recover.  (6  motions.) 
'*io.  Arms  upward,  bend  trunk  backward, 
stretching  arms  to  side  horizontal,  palms 
up.  (2  motions.) 
"11.  From  Attention,    stretch   arms   sideward, 

extending  leg  sideward.     (2  motions.) 
"12.  Breathing  Exercise:   Raising  arms  forward, 
upward,  and  lowering  laterally. 
"D.  Marching  Exercise: 

"  I.  Marching  in  quick  tim.e. 
"2.  Swing  extended  leg  forward,  w^aist  high. 
"3.  Raising  knee  and  extend  leg  forward. 
"4.  Extend    arms    sideward,    from    hands    on 
shoulders. 
"E.  Jumping  Exercises: 

"i.  Broad  jump,  walking  start  of  8  paces. 
"2.  Broad  jump,  running  start  of  6  paces. 
**3.  Hop,  step,  and  jump,  from  walking  start 
of  8  paces.    Take-off  to  be  from  the  right 
and  left  foot. 
"F.   Double  Timing: 

*'i.  Double  timing. 
*'2.  Swinging  extend  leg  forward. 
"3.  Raising  knees. 
"G.  Concluding  Exercise: 

"  I.  Swing  arms  forward  and  sideward,  relaxed. 
"2.  Breathing  exercises,  as  in  12. 


128      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"$1.  Seventh  Lesson. — A.  Disciplinary  Exercises. 
**B.  Starting  Positions. 
**C.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

"  I.  Right  arm  upward,  swing  right  arm  down- 
ward and  left  upward,  and  reverse.  (2 
motions.) 

"2.  Hands  on  hips,  hop  alternatingly  on  right 
and  left  foot,  extending  leg  forward. 
(4  motions.) 

"3.  Hands  on  hips,  neck  exercise. 

"4.  Stride  sideward  right  and  raise  arms  for- 
ward.     Turn     trunk     right,    and    left, 
stretching     arms     to     side    horizontal. 
>    (4  motions.) 

"5.  From  Attention,  bend  knees  to  squatting 
position,  extend  legs  to  leaning  rest  (see 
Exercise  5,  lesson  6),  bend  and  extend 
arms,  return  to  squatting  position  and 
recover  attention.     (6  motions.) 

"6.  Arms  to  thrust,  thrust  arms  forward,  side- 
ward, upward,  and  down.     (8  motions.) 

"7.  Stride  sideward  right  and  raise  arms  side- 
ward. Full-bend  trunk  forward,  stretch- 
ing  arms   downward.      (2  motions.) 

"  8.  Side  stride  right,  arms  forward,  bend  trunk 
sideward,  right  and  left,  stretching  arms 
sideward,  palms  down.     (4  motions.) 


APPENDIX  129 

"C.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"9.  From  Attention,  stretch  arms  as  in  sixth 
lesson,  rising  on  toes  with  upward  stretch. 
(6  motions.) 
"10.  Side  stride  right,  arms  forward,  bend  trunk 
backward,     stretching    arms    sideward, 
palms  up.     (2  motions.) 
*'ii.  Front  stride  right,  arms  forward,  stretch 
arms  sideward,  extending  left  leg  back- 
ward.    (2  motions.) 
"12.  Breathing   Exercise:     Raising   arms   side- 
ward, upward,  and  lower  forward. 
**D.  Marching  Exercises: 

"  I.  Marching  in  quick  time. 
"2.  Raising  knees. 

"3.  Swing  arms  downward  and  forward,  and 
sideward  from  arms  forward. 
"E.  Jumping  Exercises : 

**i.  Broad  jimip,  facing  right,  running  start  of 

12  paces. 
"2.  Same,  facing  left. 

"3.  Broad  jump,  raising  knees,  running  start 
of  8  paces. 
"F.  Double  Timing: 

"  I.  Double  timing 

"2.  Raising  leg  backward. 

"3.  Lengthening  stride. 


I30      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"G.  Concluding  Exercises: 

"i.  Bending  trunk  forward  and  backward, 
relaxed. 

"2.  Breathing  exercises,  as  in  12. 
"52.  Eighth  Lesson. — ^A.  Disciplinary  Exercises. 
"B.  Starting  Positions. 
**C.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

*  I.  Arms  sideward,  palms  up,  circumduct  arms 
backward.     (2  motions.) 

"2.  Hands  on  shoulders,  rise  on  toes,  extending 
arms  upward.     (2  motions.) 

''3.  Side  stride  right,  hands  on  hips,  neck 
exercises. 

"4.  Side  stride  right,  arms  sideward,  turn 
trunk,  right  and  left,  stretching  arms 
upward.     (4  motions.) 

"5.  From  Attention,  bend  knees  to  squatting 
position ;  extend  legs  to  leaning  rest,  legs 
separated ;  bend  and  extend  arms ;  return 
to  squatting  position  and  recover  Atten- 
tion.    (6  motions.) 

"6.  Arms  to  thrust;  thrust  right  arm  upward 
and  left  down,  and  alternate.  (4 
motions.) 

"7.  Side  stride  right,  arms  sideward,  bend  trunk 
forward,  stretching  arms  obliquely  for- 
ward, upward,  and  bend  trunk  backward, 
stretching  arms  sideward.     (4  motions.) 


APPENDIX  131 

*C.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"8.  Side    stride   right,    arms    sideward,    bend 
trunk  sideward,  right  and  left,  stretching 
arms  upward.     (4  motions.) 
"9.  From  Attention,   stretch  arms,   rising  on 
toes  as  in  seventh  lesson.     (6  motions.) 
*'  10.  Side   stride  right,  hands  on  hips,  rise  on 
toes,  full  bend  knees,  and  extend  arms 
sideward.     (4  motions.) 
*'ii.  From   Attention,    stretch   arms   sideward, 
extending  leg  forward;  stretch  arms  up- 
ward, extending  leg  backward ;  return  to 
first  position  and  recover.     (4  motions.) 
**  12.  Breathing  Exercises:    Raising  and  lowering 
arms  laterally. 
'D.  Marching  Exercises: 

"  I.  Marching  in  quick  time. 
"2.  Raise  knee  and  hop  on  other  foot. 
''3.  Lunging  step.     (90.) 

"4.  Circumduct   arms   backward,    from   arms 
sideward. 

E.  Jumping  Exercises: 

"  I.  Standing  broad  jump  for  distance. 
"2.  Standing  three  jumps  for  distance. 
"3.  Standing  hop,  step,  and  jump  for  distance. 

F.  Double  Timing : 

"  I.  Double  timing. 

"2.   Lengthening  step. 

"3.  Swinging  extended  leg  forward. 


132      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

**G.  Concluding  Exercises: 

"  I.  Circling  amis  outward,  relaxed. 
"2.  Breathing  exercises,  as  in  12. 

"53.  Ninth  Lesson. — A.  Disciplinary  Exercises. 
"B.  Starting  positions. 

*'C.  Setting-up  exercises: 

"i.  Forearms  flexed  horizontally,  fling  arms 
sideward;  stretch  upward;  lower  side- 
ward, and  recover.     {4  motions.) 

"2.  Side  stride  right,  rise  on  toes,  swinging 
arms  forv^^ard  upward.     (2  motions.) 

"3.  Hands  on  hips,  neck  exercises. 

"4.  Hop  to  side  vStraddle,  arms  forward,  Angers 
laced,  turn  trunk,  right  and  left;  swing 
arms  sideward,  right  and  left.  (2 
motions.) 

**  5.  Arms  to  thrust;  quarter,  half  and  full  bend 
knees;  thrusting  arms  sideward.  (4 
motions.) 

"6.  Hop  to  side  straddle,  arms  upward,  full 
bend  trunk  forw^ard,  swinging  arms  be- 
tween legs ;  swing  arms  upward  and  back 
and  bend  trunk  backward.    (2  motions.) 

(63.) 

"7.  Hands  on  shoulders,  extend  right  arm  up- 
ward and  left  sideward,  and  reverse. 
(4  motions.) 


APPENDIX  133 

'*C.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"8.  Side  straddle,  arms  sideward,  bend  trunk 
sideward,  right  (and  left),  swinging  right 
(left)  arm  downward  to  the  rear  and  left 
(right)  arm  upward.     (2  motions.) 
"9.  From  Attention,  stretching  arms  forward; 
upward,     sideward;     and     down.        (4 
motions.) 
"  10.  From  Attention,  bend  knees  to  squatting 
position;    extend    to    front-leaning-rest; 
change    to    right    side-leaning-rest;    to 
front-leaning-rest ;     squatting     position, 
and  recover  attention.     Same  going  to 
left  side-leaning-rest.     (6  motions.) 
*'ii.  Hands  on  hips,  swing  legs  foward,  waist 
high,  alternately,  extending  correspond- 
ing arm  forward.     (57.) 
"12.  Breathing  exercise :  Raising  arms  sideward, 
obliquely  upward. 
"D.  Marching  exercises: 

"  I.  Marching  in  quick  time. 
"2.  Raising  knees. 
"3.  Raising  heels. 

"4.  Extending  arms  upward,   from  hands  on 
shoulders. 
*'E.  Jumping  exercises: 

"  I.  Running  broad  jump  for  distance. 

"2.  Running  hop,  step,  and  jump  for  distance. 


134      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

**F.   Double  timing: 

"  I.  Double  timing. 

"2.  With  jumping  stride. 

**3.  Sideward,  crossing  legs. 

"G.  Concluding  exercises : 

"i.  Bending  trunk  sideward,  relaxed,  or 
"2.  Raising  arms  sideward,  upward,  relaxed 
"3.  Breathing  exercises,  as  in  12. 

"54.  Tenth  Lesson. — A.  Disciplinary  Exercises. 
"B.  Starting  Positions. 

"C.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

"i.  Arms  sideward,  circle  arms  outward  and 
inward.     (4  motions.) 

"2.  Side  straddle,  arms  forward,  rise  on  toes, 
stretching  arms  sideward;  bend  knees, 
stretching  arms  upward;  and  return  in 
reverse  order,  and  recover.    (4  motions.) 

"3.  Hands  on  hips,  neck  exercise. 

"4.  Side  straddle,  arms  sideward,  turn  trunk 
right  and  left,  lacing  fingers  behind 
head.     (4  motions.) 

"5.  From  Attention,  bend  knees  to  squatting 
position;  extend  legs  to  leaning  rest; 
squat  to  sitting  position;  turn  right 
about  to  leaning  rest  and  recover  atten- 
tion.    (6  motions.) 


APPENDIX  135 

'C.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"6.  Hands  on  shoulders,  extend  arms  forward, 
sideward,     upward,     alternatingly.       (6 
motions.) 
"7.  Side  straddle,   hands  on  hips,   full    bend 
trunk   forward,    extending   arms   down- 
ward; bend  trunk  backward  and  extend 
arms  sideward,  palms  up.     (4  motions.) 
"8.  Arms  forward,   lunge,  forward,   right  and 
left,      swinging     arms     sideward.        (4 
motions.) 
*'g.  Side  straddle,  arms  sideward,  sway  trunk 
sideward  from  right  to  left.    (2  motions.) 
"10.  Hands  on  shoulders,  hands  closed,  strike 

arms  sideward.     (2  motions.)     (36.) 
"11.  Arms  sideward,  swing  extended  right  (left) 
leg  forward  and  backward.    (2  motions.) 
"12.  Breathing  Exercise :  Stretching  arms  forward 
and  outward  to  side,  upward  oblique. 
D.  Marching  Exercises: 

"  I.  Marching  in  quick  time. 

"2.  Raising  knee  and  rising  on  toes  of  opposite 

foot. 
"3.  Thrust  arms  forward  and  sideward. 
"4.  Hands    on    hips,     bend    trunk    forward, 
stretching  left  arm  downward  as  the  left 
foot  strikes  the  ground,  recover  as  the 
right  foot  comes  forward;  same. reversed. 


136      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRH^L 

"E.  Jumping  Exercises : 

"i.  Running  board  jump,  raising  knees. 

"2.  Running  broad  jump,  executing  complete 

turn  in  the  start  just  before  taking  off. 
"3.  Same,  with  two  turns. 

"F.   Double  timing : 

''  I.  Double  timing. 

"2.  Running  sideward,  crossing  legs. 

"3.  Galloping  right,  or  left  foot  forward. 

"G.  Concluding  Exercises : 

"  I.  Trunk  swaying  forward  and  backward. 
"2.  Breathing  exercise,  as  in  12. 

"55.  Eleventh  Lesson. — ^A.  Disciplinary  Exericses. 
"B.  Starting  Positions. 
"C.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

"  I .  From    Attention ;    swing    arms    forward- 
upward,   and  lower  baclv^vard.      (2   mo- 
tions.) 
"2.  Full  bend  knees,  arms  sideward,  rock  on 
knees,    circumducting    arms    backward. 
(2  motions.)     (56.) 
"3.  Hands  on  hips,  neck  exercises. 
"4.  Side   straddle,   arms  upward,   turn  trunk 
right,  and  left,  and  stretch  arms  side- 
ward.   (4  motions.) 


APPENDIX  137 

"C.  Setting-up  Exercises — ^Continued. 

"5.  Sitting  position.  This  position  is  reached 
as  per  Exercise  5,  Lesson  10.  Lower  to 
prone  position  and  rise  to  sitting  posi- 
tion. (2  motions.)  Recover  attention 
as  per  Exercise  5,  Lesson  10.  Men 
should  be  cautioned  to  inhale  before 
lowering  or  raising  the  body. 

"6.  From  Attention,  flex  arms  horizontally, 
fling  sideward,  flex  and  recover.  (4 
motions.) 

"7.  Side  straddle,  hands  on  hips,  full  bend 
trunk  forward  and  extend  arms  dov/n- 
1^  ward;  raise  and  bend  trunk  backward, 
stretching  arms  sideward;  bend  forward, 
lowering  arms  forward,  and  recover.  (4 
motions.) 

"8.  From  Attention,  "curl"  shoulders  forward 
and  stretch  backward.    (38.) 

''9.  Side  straddle,  arms  sideward,  bend  trunk 
sideward  right,  bending  right  knee  and 
swinging  right  arm  down  to  the  rear, 
left  obliquely  upward;  recover;  same  left. 
(4  motions.) 
'*  10.  From  Attention,  hop  to  side  straddle  and 
back  to  attention,  raising  arms  side- 
ward-upward and  down.  (2  motions.) 
(so.) 


[38      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

''C.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"  II.  From  Attention,  stride  forward  right  (left), 
raising  arms  forward;  extend  left  (right) 
leg  backward,  stretching  arms  sideward 
and  bending  right  (left)  knee,  lowering 
body  forward,  back  arched,  until  ex- 
tended leg  and  body  are  horizontal; 
recover  first  position,  and  attention.  (4 
motions.) 
"12.  Breathing  Exercise:  With  arms  raisings. 
"D.  Marching  Exercises: 

**  I.  Marching  in  quick  time. 

"2.  Bend  forward  and  extend,  left,  right,  arm 

downward. 
"3.  Same  as  above,  extending  right,  left,  arm 
upward,  rising  on  toes. 
"E.  Jumping  Exercises: 

"i.  Running  broad  jump,   raising  knees,   for 

distance. 
"2.  Running  broad  jump   and   two   standing 
broad  jumps. 
"F.   Double  Timing: 

"  I.  Double  timing. 
''2.  Raising  knees. 
"  3 .  Jumping  stride. 
**G.  Concluding  Exercises : 

"  I.  Trunk  bending  sideward,  relaxed. 
"2.  Breathing  exercises  as  in  12. 


APPENDIX  139 

"  56.  Twelfth  Lesson. — ^A.  Disciplinary  Exercises. 
"B.  Starting  Positions. 
"C.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

*'i.  From  attention,  flex  arms  vertically,  raise 
elbows  sideward,  fling  arms  sideward, 
flex  arms  horizontally,  lower  elbows  to 
first  position,  and  recover  attention.  (6 
motions.) 

**2.  Hands  on  hips,  full  bend  knees,  extending 
arms  forward,  stretch .  arms  sideward, 
stretch  arms  forward,  extend  knees  and 
recover.     (4  motions.) 

"3.  Hands  on  hips,  neck  exercises. 

"4.  Stride  forward  right,  arms  forward,  turn 
trunk  right,  stretching  arms  sideward; 
same  left.     (2  motions.) 

"5.  Squatting  position,  extend  legs  backward 
to  front-leaning-rest  and  recover  squat- 
ting position.     (2  motions.) 

"6.  From  attention,  stretch  arms  forward, 
sideward,  upward,  sideward,  forward, 
and  down,  rising  on  toes  with  upward 
stretch.     (6  motions.) 

"7.  Side  straddle,  arms  overhead,  hands  closed, 
full  bend  trunk  forward,  bending  knees 
slightly,  swinging  arms  between  legs; 
raise  trunk,  rising  on  toes  and  bending 
trunk  backward  slightly.    (2  motions.) 


140     THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"C.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"8.  Arms  to  thrust,  move  shoulders  forward, 
upward,  backward,  and  down.     (4  mo- 
tions.)    (48.) 
"9.  Side  straddle,  arms  overhead,  fingers  laced, 
sway  trunk  sideward  right  and  left.     (2 
motions.) 
"10.  Hands  on  hips,  hop  on  right  and  left  foot 
alternately,  extending  other  leg  forward. 
Four  hops  on  each  foot.  (8  motions.)  (86.) 
"11,  From   attention,    repeat   balance   exercise 

described  under  exercise  1 1 ,  lesson  1 1 . 
"12.  Breathing  Exercise:  "Curl"  shoulders 
slightly,  rotating  arms  inward;  inhale, 
moving  shoulders  backward  and  stretch- 
ing arms  forward,  outward  to  side  hori- 
zontal, palms  up;  lower  laterally. 
'*D.  Marching  Exercises: 

"  I.  Marching  in  quick  time. 

"2.  From  arms  to  thrust,  thrust  arms  forward, 

swing  sideward,  forward,  and  recover. 
"3.  From    hands   on    hips,   alternate   bending 
forward,  extending  arms  downward,  ex- 
tending arms  upward,  and  rising  on  toes. 
*'  4.  Raise  knees,  rising  on  or  hopping  on  other 
foot. 
"E.  Jumping  Exercises: 

"i.  Running  broad  jump  for  distance,  raising 
knees. 


APPENDIX  141 

"E.  Jumping  Exercises — Continued. 

"2.  Running  broad  jump   and   two   standing 
jumps. 

"3.  Running  broad  jump  and  standing  hop, 
step,  and  jump. 
"F.   Double  Timing: 

"  I.  Double  timing. 

"2.  Raising  knees. 

"3.  Jumping  stride,  raising  knees. 
"G.  Concluding  Exercises : 

*'  I.  Arm  circling  inward  and  outward  or, 

"2.  Trunk  bending  forward  and  backward. 

"3.  Breathing  exercises  as  in  12. 

Section  IX 

FIELD    TRAINING    OF    TRAINED    SOLDIERS 

Paragraph 

How  this  course  differs  from  recruit  course 57 

Composition  and  number  of  lessons 58 

Instructors  cautioned  to  make  course  interesting 59 

Trained  soldiers  conditioning  course 60 

Morning  and  afternoon  periods 61 

''57.  How  This  Course  Differs  From  Recruit  Course. — 

This  course  differs  from  the  recruit  instruction  in  that  it 
aims  to  be  less  for  the  purpose  of  instruction  but  more  for 
the  purpose  of  keeping  the  already  trained  man  fit  and 
prepared  for  any  emergency.  As  the  trained  soldier  is 
constantly  kept  engaged  in  more  or  less  strenuous  military 
drills,  and  as  he  is  also  in  such  physical  condition  that  he 
can  indulge  in  the  more  strenuous  and  intensive  forms  of 


142      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

bodily  activities  with  benefit  to  himself,  the  time  devoted 
to  this  training  may  be  reduced  materially  in  his  case. 

"58.  Composition  and  Number  of  Lessons. — Four 
lessons  for  the  trained  soldier  are  given  here.  They  are 
to  serve  as  examples  to  instructors  who  may  at  their  dis- 
cretion substitute  others,  so  long  as  they  adhere  to  the 
general  principles  laid  down  in  this  syllabus.  The  amount 
and  degree  of  work  must  be  fitted  to  the  capabilities  of 
the  men  and  the  time  allotted  to  this  training. 

*  59.  Instructors  Cautioned  to  Make  Course  Interest- 
ing.— Instructors  are  warned  that  in  order  to  maintain  the 
trained  soldier's  interest  and  enthusiasm  the  drill  must  be 
made  interesting.  To  attempt  to  get  results  by  means  of 
the  same  exercise  constantly  repeated  is  impossible  with 
the  American  trained  soldier.  Being  an  intelligent,  think- 
ing individual  the  best  results  are  obtained  when  his  mind 
as  well  as  his  body  is  employed.  This  can  be  accomplished 
by  giving  variety  to  the  drill. 

"60.  Trained  Soldier's  Conditioning  Course. — In  the 
trained  soldier's  conditioning  exercises,  jumping,  running, 
etc.,  difficulty  is  added  by  having  the  men  carry  part  of 
their  equipment  or  all  of  it.  Beginning  with  the  rifle  other 
parts  may  be  added  gradually. 

"61.  Morning  and  Afternoon  Periods. — A  morning 
period  of  30  minutes  devoted  to  setting-up  exercises  and 
marching  or  double-time  exercises,  and  an  afternoon 
period  of  30  minutes  devoted  to  jumping,  advancing  over 
obstacles,  vaulting,  or  rifle  exercises,  etc.,  will  suffice  to 
keep  the  trained  soldier  always  fit. 


APPENDIX  143 

Section  X, 

LESSONS    FOR   TRAINED    SOLDIERS 

Paragraph 

First  lesson 62 

Second  lesson 63 

Third  lesson 64 

Fourth  lesson 65 

"62.  First  Lesson. — A.  Starting  Positions. 
"B.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

"  I.  Arms  to  thrust,  thrust  arms  forward;  swing 

sideward,  forward,  and  back  to  position. 

(4  motions.)     (49.) 
"2.  Forearms  flexed  vertically,  rise  on  toes  and 

extend  arms  upward .    ( 2  motions . )    (54.) 
"3.  Hands  on  hips,  neck  exercises,  bending  and 

turning. 
"4.  Side  straddle,  arms  forward,  fingers  laced, 

turn  trunk  right  and  left,  swinging  both 

arms  in  the  same  direction.    (2  motions.) 
"5.  Full  bend  knees  position,  hands  on  hips, 

extend  knees  to  on-toes  position  slowly 

and     stretch     arms     upward;     recover 

quickly.     (2  motions.) 
"6.  Side  stride  right,  hands  on  hips,  bend  trunk 

forward    and    extend    arms    downward; 

recover;  then  bend  trunk  backward  and 

extend   arms   sideward,    palms   up.      (4 

motions.) 


144      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"B.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"7.  From  Attention,  stretch  arms  downward, 
forward,    sideward,    upward,    rising    on 
toes,    sideward,    forward,    and   recover. 
(6  motions.) 
"8.  From  Attention,   leaning-rest    exercise   in 
four  motions,    squatting  position,   with 
hands   on   the   ground;    extending   legs 
backward;  returning  to  squatting  posi- 
tion and  recover  attention.     (58.) 
"9.  Arms  to  thrust,  move  shoulders  forward, 
upward,    backward,    and    recover.      (4 
motions.) 
"10.  Side  straddle,  arms  upward,  fingers  laced, 
bend  trunk  from  right  to  left,  swaying. 
(2  motions.) 
**  1 1.  Arms  to  thrust,  lunge  forward  right,  thrust- 
ing arms  forward;  in  the  lunging  posi- 
tion, swing  arms  sideward,  then  forward, 
and  recover;  same  left.     (4  motions.) 
"12.  Breathing  Exercise:    With  arm  raisings. 
"C.  Marching  or  Double  Timing  Exercises. 

"63.  Second  Lesson. — A.  Starting  Positions. 

"B.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

"  I.  Arms  to  thrust,  thrust  arms  upward,  swing 
downward  and  backward,  swing  upward 
and  recover.     (4  motions.)     (5^.) 


APPENDIX  145 

B.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"2.  Hands  on  hips,  rise  on  toes,  full  bend  knees 
and  extend  arms  sideward,  return  to 
first  position;  and  recover.  (4  motions.) 
(51.) 

"3.  Hands  on  hips,  neck  exercise,  bending  and 
turning. 

"4.  Forward  stride  right  arms  forward,  turn 
trunk  right  and  stretch  arms  sideward; 
same  to  the  left,  with  left  foot  forward. 

"5.  Full  bend  knee  position,  arms  forward, 
rock  on  knees,  and  swing  arms  down- 
ward and  forward.     (2  motions.) 

"6.  Side  stride  right,  arms  upward,  fingers 
laced,  bend  trunk  forward,  bending  knees 
slightly,  and  swing  arms  between  the  legs, 
raise  the  trunk  and  body  on  the  toes  and 
swing  arms  upward,  bending  the  body 
backward  slightly.     (2  motions.) 

"7.  From  attention,  arm-stretching  exercises  in 
six  motions. 

"8.  From  squatting  position,  hands  on  the 
ground,  extend  to  leaning-rest  and  re- 
cover squatting  position.      (2  motions.) 

''g.  Hands  on  shoulders,  move  elbows  forward 
and  stretch  them  backward.  (2  motions.) 
(45-) 


146      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRILL 

"B.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"  lo  Side  straddle,  arms  upward,  bend  trunk 
sideward  right  and  stretch  arms  side- 
ward; same  left.     (2  motions.) 

"11.  Hands  on  shoulders,  lunging  sideward 
right,  extending  arms  sideward;  in  the 
lunging  position  bend  trunk  sideward 
right,  swing  right  arm  down  to  the  rear, 
left  upward,  return  to  first  position  and 
recover.     (4  motions.) 

"12.  Breathing  Exercise :    With  arm  raisings. 
**C.  Marching  or  Double-Timing  Exercises. 

''64.  Third  Lesson. — A.  Starting  Positions. 
"B.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

"  I.  Arms  to  thrust,  thrust  arms  forward,  swing 
right  up  and  left  down,  swing  to  front 
horizontal  and  recover.  Repeat,  revers- 
ing arm  swing.    (8  motions.)    (61.) 

**2.  Hands  on  hips,  rise  on  toes  and  hop.  (2 
motions.)     (42.) 

"3.  Hands  on  hips,  neck  exercises,  bending  and 
turning. 

**4.  Side  stride  right,  arms  forward,  turn  trunk 
to  the  right  and  stretch  arms  sideward; 
same  left.     (4  motions.) 

"5.  Full  bend  knee  position,  hands  on  the 
ground      between      knees      (squatting 


APPENDIX  147 

'B.  Setting-up  Exercises— Continued. 

position),  extend  legs  to  side  straddle, 

hands   remaining   on   the    ground    and 

recover  the  squatting  position. 

"6.  Side  stride  right,  fingers  laced  behind  head, 

full  bend  trunk  forward,  raise  and  bend 

the    trunk    backward,    stretching    arms 

sideward;    bend    trunk    forward,    lacing 

fingers  in  rear  of  head,  and  recover.     (4 

motions.) 

"7.  From  Attention,  arm-stretching  exercise  in 

6  motions. 
*8.  In  the  leaning-rest,  bend  and  extend  arms, 
or  raise  legs  backward  alternatingly.     (2 
motions.) 
"9.  From  Attention,  'curl'  shoulders  forward 
and  stretch  backward .  ( 2  motions . )  (38.) 
"10.  Side  straddle,  arms  sideward,  bend  trunk 
sideward  right,  bending  right  knee  and 
swinging  right  arm  downward  to  rear  of 
body,   left  arm  upward   close  to  head; 
same  left  (4  motions.) 
"11.  From  Attention,  hop  to  side  straddle,  swing- 
ing arms  upward  laterally;  bend  knees 
and  move  arms  to  side  horizontal ;  return 
to  first  position  and  recover.  (4  motions.) 
"12.  Breathing  Exercises:    With  arm  raisings. 
C.  Marching  or  Double  Timing  Exercises. 


:48      THE  KOEHLER  METHOD  OF  PHYSICAL  DRH^L 


"65.  Fourth  Lesson. — ^A.  Starting  Positions. 
"B.  Setting-up  Exercises: 

1.  Hands  on  shoulders,  extend  arms  upward, 
swinging  downward  laterally,  upward 
laterally,  and  recover.    (4  motions.)  (62.) 

2.  Hand  laced  behind  head,  rise  on  toes,  and 
rock.     (2  motions.)     (39.) 

''3.  Hands  on  hips,  back  exercises,  bend  and 
twisting. 

'  4.  Side  straddle,  arms  upward,  turn  trunk  to 
right  and  stretch  arms  to  side  horizontal ; 
same  left.     (4  motions.) 

'5.  Full  bend  knee  position,  hands  on  hips, 
hop  in  this  position. 

'6.  Forward  stride  right,  arms  sideward,  bend 
trunk  forward,  lowering  arms  downward 
and  bending  right  knee;  raise  trunk,  ex- 
tending knees,  and  bend  trunk  backward, 
stretching  arms  sideward;  return  to  first 
position  and  recover.     (4  motions.) 

'  7.  From  Attention,  arm-stretching  exercise  in 
6  motions. 

'8.  From  Attention,  bend  to .  the  squatting 
position ;  extend  to  the  leaning-rest ;  squat 
between  hands  to  sitting  position;  turn 
to  the  right-about  to  the  leaning-rest  and 
recover.     (6  motions.) 


APPENDIX  149 

"B.  Setting-up  Exercises — Continued. 

"9.  From  side  horizontal,  palms  down,  rotate 
arms  backward  and  forward.      (2   mo- 
tions.)    (52.) 
**  10.  Side  straddle,   hands  on  shoulders,   bend 
trunk   sideward    right,    extending   right 
arm  obliquely  downward,  left  obliquely 
upward,     and     bend     right     knee,    and 
recover;  same  left.     (4  motions.) 
"11.  From    Attention,    hop    to    side    straddle, 
placing  hands  on   shoulders;   full  bend 
trunk  forward  and  extend  arms  down- 
ward, return  to  first  position  and  recover. 
(4  motions.) 
"12.  Breathing  Exercise:    With  arm  raisings. 
"C.  Marching  Exercises  or  Double-Timing  Exercises. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  AT  LOS  ANGELES 

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